SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team defeated Pitt-Johnstown, 61-58, Saturday at Morrow Field House in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division competition.
 
Saturday's win, combined with losses by Edinboro and Clarion, clinches a PSAC Tournament berth for The Rock. SRU has now qualified for the PSAC Tournament the last seven seasons in which the event has been held.
 
The victory improved Slippery Rock's record to 12-12 overall and 10-8 inside the PSAC West. Saturday's result also served as The Rock's 10th win at Morrow Field House this season, marking the 19th season in which SRU has won double-digit home games since the building opened in 1959.
 
Additionally, SRU completed its first season sweep of Pitt-Johnstown (6-19, 4-15 PSAC) since the 2023-14 season.
 
With four games remaining in the regular season, Slippery Rock finds itself occupying fourth place in the PSAC West standings: three games behind Indiana (Pa.) for third place, but one game ahead of Mercyhurst and two in front of sixth-place Seton Hill.
 
The top six teams in both the Western Division and Eastern Division standings at the end of the regular season qualify for the PSAC Tournament with the top two seeds in each division receiving first-round byes and the No. 3 and No. 4 squads earning the right to host opening-round games.
 
If history is any indication, it is very important that SRU at worst maintains its hold on fourth place in the PSAC West. Since the 2012-13 season, the fifth and sixth seeds in the PSAC West and PSAC East hold a combined record of just 5-35 in first-round games.
 
Ike Herster came off the bench to score a game-high 19 points to go with five rebounds and a steal in pacing SRU's efforts against UPJ.
 
Lashon Lindsey just missed out on a double-double after producing nine points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. Maceo Austin added an eight-point, eight-rebound, three-block, one-steal stat line as well.
 
Point guard Luke Howes dished out four assists, made three steals, scored six points and grabbed six rebounds while fellow starter Bobby Clifford went for seven points.
 
Off the bench, Jomo Goings had six points, one block and one steal while Sheick Samoura rounded out The Rock's top contributors with three assists and one steal.
 
Slippery Rock connected on eight of its first 15 field goal attempts to take a quick 19-15 advantage over UPJ and seemed poised for a high-scoring game early on before The Rock and Mountain Cats settled into defensive battle that saw the two teams combine to shoot just 31.7 percent (13-for-41) over the final 11 minutes of the first period with SRU taking a slim 31-29 lead into the halftime break.
 
SRU grew its lead out to a game-high nine points eight minutes into the second half, but was unable put the contest out of reach as a persistent Pitt-Johnstown squad rattled off five straight points to cut its deficit to 47-43 with 10 minutes to play.
 
While The Rock ultimately led for the final 22:25 of regulation, SRU did not lead by more than six points for the remainder of the game as the two teams traded baskets and defensive stops eventually leading to UPJ having possession down three points with eight seconds remaining on the clock.
 
However, Slippery Rock avoided overtime when Elijah Sechler, who scored 10 points for the Mountain Cats, missed an open look from just past the 3-point line as time expired for a three-point SRU win.
 
The Rock closed the victory shooting 41.5 percent (27-of-65) from the field overall and 80 percent (4-of-5) at the foul line, but just 3-for-22 from 3-point range. After tallying over 20 turnovers in each of its last two games, SRU committed a mere 10 miscues Saturday.
 
The Mountain Cats also had a tough day shooting, converting only 33.8 percent (24-for-71) of their total field goal attempts including a 6-of-21 showing from distance as well as being able to make just 4-of-11 free throw attempts (.364). UPJ held a +7 (49-42) rebounding margin over SRU.
 
Gavin Headings led the Mountain Cats with a 14-point, 12-rebound double-double.
 
Prior to Saturday's game, The Rock's 2023-24 senior class of Clifford, Lindsey and Nik Cazacu were honored in a pregame Senior Day ceremony commemorating their long careers at SRU.
 
Slippery Rock will look to continue its playoff push when it travels to Clarion 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in what will be The Rock's penultimate road game of the regular season. SRU beat Clarion, 64-54, earlier in the year at Morrow Field House.





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