JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — West Liberty (2-2) couldn't overcome Pitt-Johnstown's hot shooting and early momentum on Saturday afternoon, falling 97–75 at the Sports Center.

Pitt-Johnstown struck first and controlled the opening minutes, sparked by Aubree Price, who scored the first five points of the game and tallied 10 in the first quarter. West Liberty briefly tied the score at 3–3 on a three-pointer from Dria Parker, but the Mountain Cats capitalized on five WLU turnovers and closed the quarter with Sophia Ott's buzzer-beating layup to take a 22–12 lead.

The Mountain Cats continued to dictate the pace in the second quarter, outscoring the Hilltoppers 26–18. Ana-Isabel Andersson tried to build momentum with a strong sequence—layup plus free throw—to cut the deficit to single digits, but Pitt-Johnstown answered with timely perimeter shooting. A deep three from Riley Childress helped push the lead back to double digits, while Price's three-pointer with 1:47 left in the half extended the margin. A last-second layup from M'laya Ainsworth sent WLU into the break trailing 48–30.

West Liberty showed better rhythm in the third quarter, with Andersson driving the offense and Kaleigh Norris knocking down a key three-pointer off an assist from Andersson. But UPJ's Camille Dominick controlled the lane with multiple finishes and rebounds, helping preserve a 72–51 advantage entering the fourth.

The Hilltoppers continued to battle in the final period—highlighted by a Parker three-pointer at 7:32 and an Andersson layup at 6:49—but UPJ's depth and efficiency held firm. Faith King and Kate Myers combined for late scoring bursts, including a Myers three-pointer that pushed the lead to 88–63. WLU closed strong behind multiple baskets from Andersson, but the Mountain Cats sealed the 97–75 victory.

West Liberty Top Performers

Ana-Isabel Andersson 

• 26 points
   

• 5 steals
   

• 4 assists
   

Anna Lucarelli

• 13 points
   

• 8 rebounds
   

• 7-of-12 at the free-throw line
   

Halley Smith

• 13 points
   

• 5-of-6 free throws
   

• 3 rebounds
   

Jameka Brungard

• 8 points
   

• 4 rebounds
   

• 1 block
   

Up Next

West Liberty will look to bounce back when the Hilltoppers travel to Seton Hill on Tuesday for an 11:30 a.m. tipoff.