SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University men's basketball standout Frankie Hughes scored 44 points, the fourth most in SRU single-game history, as part of a close 91-87 loss to Pitt-Johnstown Wednesday night at Morrow Field House.
 
The loss snaps SRU's six-game winning streak and moves The Rock's record to 9-3 on the season overall and 5-1 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division competition. Slippery Rock's three losses this season have come by an average of just 4.7 points.
 
With the win, Pitt-Johnstown leaves Morrow Field House at 9-3 overall and 5-1 in PSAC games.
 
Hughes was dynamic on both ends of the court Wednesday as he shot 16-of-26 from the field overall including a 10-of-17 showing from 3-point range all the while coming away with six steals defensively.
 
The offensive outburst by Hughes was the most points scored by a Slippery Rock player in the last 31 years and tied Larry Deemer (1970-71) for the fourth most points scored in program history overall. Additionally, Hughes' 10 3-pointers set a Rock single-game record previously held by Desma Nicholson, who made nine 3-pointers against Ohio Eastern in 2014-15, while his six steals are tied for the seventh most in a single-game at SRU.
 
Pitt-Johnstown led for 39:42 of a possible 40 minutes Wednesday including three separate double-digit leads. However, every time UPJ appeared poised to pull away Slippery Rock answered with a run to keep the contest within reach.
 
With the Mountain Cats leading by 14 points at 58-44 with 16:02 left in regulation, The Rock took off on a 25-12 spurt over the following nine minutes that cut the UPJ advantage down to just one point, 70-69, with 7:07 remaining in the second half. Hughes scored 16 points during the spurt.
 
From there on, SRU an UPJ traded baskets for the rest of the game as Slippery Rock was able to pull to within one point three times over the game's final seven minutes, but was unable to complete the comeback as the Mountain Cats escaped with the five-point road victory.
 
Aiding in The Rock's efforts on the night was Tyler Frederick with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jonathan McFall also scored 15 points while collecting five rebounds, making two steals and blocking one shot.
 
Bobby Clifford and Dylan Ahearn made two 3-pointers each to finish the contest with six points with Clifford also dishing out a career-high eight assists, pulling down five rebounds and corralling four steals.
 
For the game, Slippery Rock shot 44.6 percent (33-of-74) from the field overall and 38.9 percent (14-of-36) from 3-point range. In what was an extremely physical game at Morrow Field House, The Rock shot a season-low eight foul shots, seven of which they converted for an 87.5 percent showing.
 
SRU forced UPJ into 19 turnovers while committing just 14 miscues of its own. Slippery Rock was outrebounded by Pitt-Johnstown, 33-31, but held advantages over the Mountain Cats in second chance points (13-4) and points off turnovers (19-12).
 
Pitt-Johnstown capped off a stellar shooting night by making 63.8 percent (37-of-58) of its total field goal attempts and 46.2 percent (6-of-13) of its 3-pointers. The Mountain Cats also made 11-of-13 free throws (84.6 percent). Fred Mulbah went for 24 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals to lead UPJ.
 
Slippery Rock will look to return to its winning ways when it hosts Clarion University 3 p.m. Saturday at Morrow Field House.
 
 
 

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