Box Score (HTML)

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Redshirt freshman Christian Mortellite (Hammonton, N.J./Hammonton) poured in a career high 23 points, but it was not enough to overcome an offensive onslaught by Pitt-Johnstown as the Mountain Cats prevailed for a 103-79 victory in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover play on Wednesday night.

The Huskies drop to 6-3, 2-3 PSAC while UPJ improves to 6-4, 3-3.

Bloomsburg led in the very early going, but the Mountain Cats took a six-point lead at the 15:30 mark on a bucket from Ian Vescovi.

Charles Haigler (Charles Town, WV/Hargrave Military Academy) brought the Huskies to within 15-14 with 13:07 left in the half, but that's when the Mountain Cats took over.

UPJ embarked on an 18-3 sprint over the next five and a half minutes to take a commanding 35-18 advantage and would not look back.

From there, the Huskies would get no closer than 13 points – when Saige Spece (Pottsville/Pottsville Area) connected for his first collegiate points, a 3-pointer with 23 seconds left in the first half to cut to within 53-40.

The Mountain Cats took a 55-40 lead to intermission and set the tone for the second half with a quick 3-pointer from A.J. Leahey. Another bucket from beyond the arc by Leahey gave UPJ a 21-point lead and the hosts would control the rest of the contest.

Mortellite was a bright spot for Bloomsburg, hitting seven of 14 shots from the floor in 22 minutes of action. Haigler also finished with 15 points and four steals with Alex Prislupsky (Olyphant/Mid-Valley) adding 11 points and three steals.

All 14 members of the Huskies active roster saw time in the game with 10 players working into the scoring column.

The hot-shooting Mountain Cats went 40-of-66 from the field for a 60.6 percent success rate for the game. Leahey led seven UPJ players in double figures with 21 points and eight rebounds while Vescovi added 16 points and nine boards.

Next up for the Huskies is a date with No. 23 IUP on Saturday afternoon inside Nelson Field House with tipoff scheduled for 3 p.m.