Final statistics

JOHNSTOWN, Pa.—Despite a double-double recorded by senior Nikki Presto, the Slippery Rock University women's basketball team (0-3) dropped a 75-64 decision Saturday afternoon to Lake Erie in the Pitt-Johnstown Lady Cat Classic.

Presto scored 17 points and 12 rebounds and added three blocks in the non-conference loss. 

Senior Julie Molloy was the only other Rock player in double figures with 11 points six rebounds and two assists and steals. Freshmen Amanda Mikatavage and Emilee Vitez both scored eight points and Bethany Caudill recorded two assists. 

Jen Caiola led all-scorers with 23 points, making six three pointers. Alyssa Wagers recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Renese Ames recorded 11 points and a team-leading four blocks. 

Lake Erie earned its first win of the season after back-to-back losses by starting the game on a 19-2 run in the first five and a half minutes of play. Within that time frame, the Storm was a perfect 3-3 from three point range. 

The lead for Lake Erie was by 23 points (33-10) with nine minutes left in the first half, when SRU scored two unanswered layups by Tynesha Lee and Mikatavage to have the lead cut to 33-14. 

In the final minute of the half Alex Beatty blocked a shot by Wagers to help Sandra Busser earn the easy layup and cut the lead to 41-25. After a three-point play by the Storm, the halftime score was 44-25. 

Early in the second half, The Rock went on a five point run after Presto blocked a shot and connected on two layups to cut the lead to 13, 46-33. 

Caiola converted a three-point foul shot attempt, recorded a block and a three pointer within a 25 second span to give Lake Erie the lead back 52-33. 

Chere' Marshall fouled out of the game with 6:09 left in the game. After the converted free-throw attempts, the lead was back up to 17 at 65-48. 

With 3:10 left in the game, Molloy hit a three-point shot to cut the lead to its smallest deficit at 67-58. The Rock would score four more points from the floor, which was not enough to pull out the win. 

The Rock finished the game shooting 35.8% from the floor (24-67) connected on 14.3% from three-point range (2-14) and 77.8% (14-18) from the free-throw line. 

Lake Erie shot 42.9% (24-56) from the floor, 50% from three-point range (9-18), and 75% from the free-throw line (18-24). 

The Rock did outrebound Lake Erie, 37-45, recording 21 offensive rebounds. 

The Rock returns to action Sunday for the second day of the Pitt-Johnstown Lady Cats Classic. SRU will face off against Georgian Court at 1 pm.