Seton Hill made the short trip to Johnstown, PA on Wednesday evening as they continued PSAC West play with a road matchup with UPJ.
Pitt Johnstown outscored the Griffins 13-10 in the second overtime period as the Mountain Cats defeated the Griffins 100-97. SHU falls to 12-9 overall and 5-8 in the PSAC.
The Griffins hit their first five shots from the floor as they jumped out to a 12-2 lead less than four minutes into the contest forcing UPJ to take an early timeout.
Edir Ortiz had four of the first twelve points. UPJ answered back with a 9-2 run to trim the lead to 14-11. Back to back threes from
James Rice and
Edir Ortiz pushed the SHU lead to 20-11 with 12:20 to play. A three pointer from
Kedrick Curtis gave SHU a 29-20 lead midway thru the half.
Less than two minutes later, UPJ trailed by just one, 29-28. Five straight points from Ortiz pushed the lead back to 42-35 with 3:43 to play in the half. UPJ scored six straight before
Gage Lattimore hit a three to extend the lead back to three. Lattimore then hit a shot late in the half to give SHU a 47-44 lead at the halftime break. The Griffins were 9-14 from three point land in the first half.
Seton Hill hit five three pointers over the first four minutes of the second half as they took a 64-51 lead over UPJ. Lattimore hit the final two of the five three pointers. A layup from Ortiz gave SHU a 71-57 lead with 11:22 to play. UPJ then went on a 21-3 run over a six minute span to take a 78-74 lead. The Mountain Cats extended their lead to 82-76 with 2:45 to play.
Camden Brewer hit a three and Curtis scored the final three points of regulation as the game headed to overtime tied at 82.
The teams exchanged a pair of baskets over the first four minutes of the overtime period. UPJ hit one of two free throws with 38 seconds left to take an 87-86 lead.
Gabe Gillespie grabbed an offensive rebound and hit one of two free throws to tie it at 87 with 15 seconds left.
Curtis hit a layup and
Ryan Meis drilled a three pointer to open the scoring in the second overtime period as SHU took an early 92-87 lead. UPJ scored the next five to tie the game.
James Rice hit a layup with a minute to go to put SHU back in front. UPJ answered with a three as they took a 95-94 lead with 50 seconds left. UPJ increased their lead to 97-94 with 16.9 seconds left. Lattimore then hit one of two free throws with 12 seconds to play to cut the lead to 97-95. UPJ then hit two free throws to take a 99-95 lead with 11.2 seconds to play. Lattimore made a basket with 5.5 seconds left to trim the lead to 99-97. UPJ hit one of two with 3.3 left as they took a 100-97 lead.
Ortiz led the Griffins with 19 points. Curtis added 18 points. Lattimore finished with 17 points. Gillespie also reached double figures with 15 points.
The Griffins will return home as they host Slippery Rock in another PSAC West contest on Saturday afternoon.
