CALIFORNIA, Pa. — Pitt-Johnstown hung around throughout the first half before succumbing to California (Pa.) in an 82-58 setback on Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

The Mountain Cats slipped to 6-14 (3-10 PSAC). Sophia Ott poured in a team-high 20 points and grabbed four rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench. Riley Childress produced 13 points and three assists.

Liv West added eight points and six rebounds, and Lexi Margolis pulled down a team-high seven rebounds.

Pitt-Johnstown built its largest lead of the afternoon in the early stages of the first quarter, when freshman Angel Ezirim scored on a fastbreak layup that made it 12-9. 

A jumper with about a minute remaining gave the Mountain Cats a 16-15 advantage, but it was the last time they would forge ahead. They trailed 19-16 at the end of one.

The Mountain Cats remained within two possessions until midway through the second before falling behind by 13. Ott connected on two free throws with 30 seconds left to cut the deficit to 37-26 heading into the break. California (Pa.) strung together a 23-12 scoring advantage in the third that put the Mountain Cats in an insurmountable deficit throughout the fourth.

Pitt-Johnstown notched a 42-30 rebounding edge and a 26-11 advantage in bench points.

Kennedy Bankett provided a game-high 34 points for the Vulcans, who moved to 10-13 (6-7 PSAC).

Pitt-Johnstown will have a week off before visiting Slippery Rock for a 1 p.m. tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 7.