JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The shorthanded No. 2/3 ranked Gannon women's basketball team was unable to pull away from Pitt-Johnstown for most of the first half.

Then the Golden Knights turned to their defense and went on a 14-0 run at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half.

Gannon extended its winning streak to 18 games as the Knights defeated the Mountain Cats 73-58 to improve to 21-1 overall and 13-0 in the PSAC West.

The Golden Knights were playing without two of their regular point guards, Trinitee Harris (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Central) and Olivia Cernuto (Scottdale, Pa./Southmoreland), who were sidelined with injuries.

UPJ slipped to 12-7 overall and 7-6 in conference play.
 

By the numbers:

Senior post standout Sam Pirosko continued her stretch of outstanding play by leading the Golden Knights with 24 points. Once again, she was extremely accurate, connecting on 7-of-10 field-goal attempts and 9-of-11 foul shots. She also sank a 3-pointer.  Pirosko added five rebounds, four assists, and four steals.

She was coming off a career-high 35-point performance in Gannon's previous win over Mercyhurst.

Bri Claxon (South Webster, Ohio/South Webster) (11 points) was the only other player in double figures, but Gannon had excellent balance. Kate Ratliff (Canal Winchester, Ohio/Canal Winchester) and Carissa Dunham (Fairview, Pa./Villa Maria) had nine points apiece, Maddy Wheatley (Canberra, Australia/UCSSC Lake Ginninderra) scored seven points, and Tori Mayes (Lake City, Pa./Cathedral Prep) added six.

Wheatley had a fine all-around game while leading Gannon with nine rebounds and five assists.

Mayes made particularly critical contributions considering the absence of Harris and Cernuto. The freshman point guard played 32 minutes and ran the offense throughout the game.
 

Momentum surge

Pitt-Johnstown stayed close to Gannon for most of the first half. GU led 25-22 when UPJ's Peyton Alazaus was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer. She made all three foul shots to tie the game at 25-25 with 2:07 left in the half.

However, Gannon held UPJ scoreless over the next 4 minutes while scoring 14 points to take a 39-25 lead. After the Mountain Cats scored to end the run, the Knights continued their surge, going on an 8-0 spurt. The overall run of 22-2 gave Gannon a commanding 47-27 lead with 5:02 left in the third quarter. UPJ never go closer than 14 points again.

 
What's ahead:

Gannon will return to action with on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. with a home game against Seton Hill at Hagerty Family Events Center.