JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - The Mansfield Mountaineers women's basketball team (4-2, 1-1 PSAC) finished out their opening weekend of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action on Sat. (Nov. 23) afternoon against the Pitt-Johnstown (1-6, 0-2 PSAC) Mountain Cats, with the Mounties edging out the host in the final minutes for the 61-60 conference victory. 

Katie Sheeler finished her fifth consecutive 20-point game, ending with 22 and five rebounds. 

Cydney Stanton was one rebound short from an 11-point double-double. Sarah Hortin also came up one rebound short for a nine-point double-double, while picking up her career high of four blocks. 

Mansfield jumped out to an early 10-4 advantage, thanks to five from Hortin through the first three minutes. 

Pitt-Johnstown reacted positive to the early strike, copying the Mountaineer run to even the PSAC dual at 14-14. Four points from each squad ended the opening quarter with the game tied at 18. 

UPJ knocked the first four of five buckets to break out to the 26-21 edge midway through the second quarter. 

The Mounties inched their way back, looking for their first lead of the quarter with a quick 7-2 turnaround to keep the game deadlocked at 28.

Pitt-Johnstown earned two final minute baskets to hold the halftime lead as the Mountain Cats held the 33-28 advantage. 

Sheeler opened up the half with two three pointers, but UPJ still held the slim margin at 40-36 to begin the third quarter. 

Eight points from each conference member rounded out the third quarter with Pitt-Johnstown holding the 48-44 lead before the final ten minutes. 

After the Mountain Cats broke out to a 54-46 start, the Mountaineers popped off eight straight points from Sheeler, Kristen Fulford, and Hannah Alexander for Mansfield to erase the lead with the foes tied at 54. 

Paris Anthony splashed a pair of free throws to earn the Mounties their first lead since the end of the first quarter to put the team up 56-54. 

After a layup to tie it, Sheeler dropped a long ball, and Stanton completed her double-digit day to give Mansfield the 61-58 edge with two minutes remaining.

UPJ reached within one after a pair at the charity stripe with just 45 seconds remaining. 

A shot clock violation marked a chance for the Mountain Cats to earn their first home victory of the season, but a missed corner three gave Mansfield their first conference victory of the season, 61-60.

UP NEXT:
Mansfield will return home to Marion Decker Gymnasium for a week of three home games, starting with Roberts Wesleyan on Dec. 3. The nonconference contest will tip-off at 5:30 p.m.