SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University men's basketball team could not stave off the high-efficiency offense of Pitt-Johnstown on Friday night, dropping an 81-73 decision to the Mountain Cats in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contest from Heiges Field House.

Shippensburg (7-3, 3-1 PSAC) led 32-23 with 2:45 left in the first half, but Pitt-Johnstown (9-2, 3-1 PSAC) immediately countered with an 8-0 run and hit a three-pointer just before the halftime horn to take a two-point lead into the intermission. The score was tied with nine minutes left at 54-54, when the Mountain Cats used a 12-2 run over the next three minutes to take control.
 
The Raiders shot just 37 percent from the field, the second-lowest rate of the season. SU attempted a season-high 33 three-pointers and made nine, resulting in a 27-percent proficiency. UPJ shot 56 percent from the field – including 60.7 percent in the second half – marking the second straight game that a Raider opponent exceeded 60 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes.
 
Shippensburg posted a 43-30 rebounding advantage – including more offensive rebounds (22) than defensive rebounds (21) – that led to a 28-5 edge in second-chance points.
 
Sophomore Luke Nedrow scored a career-high 18 points, shooting 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line. He had seven rebounds (six offensive), a block and a steal.
 
Junior Jake Biss scored Shippensburg's last 14 points of the game over the last 4:31 of play during an attempted Raider comeback. Biss finished the game leading all players with 21 points to go along with four assists; he also tied a career high with four steals.
 
Redshirt-sophomore Dom Sleva came off the bench but led all Raiders with 34 minutes on the floor – he posted his first double-double of the season and the fifth of his career with 13 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.
 
Senior John Castello scored 10 of his 13 points in the first half – he was limited to seven minutes in the second half due to foul trouble.
 
Senior Lamar Talley had strong moments on defense, posting a career-high three blocks. He added a three-pointer and three assists. Junior Kiyon Hardy had two points and five rebounds.
 
All five Mountain Cat starters posted double figures. Drew Magestro led the visitors with 19 points, making 4-of-6 from three-point range. Fred Mulbah had a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists while also grabbing seven rebounds. John Paul Kromka was limited to six minutes in the first half because of foul trouble; he finished with 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
 
Shippensburg hosts No. 3 IUP at 7:30 p.m. Saturday from Heiges Field House.