Box Score Charleston, WV – Nick Novak and the Mountain Cats shot their way to a 10 point victory, 82-72, over UC Saturday evening at Eddie King Gymnasium.
 
In a matchup of two of the best PG’s in the conference between Lipkins of UC and Nick Novak of UP-J, neither of them disappointed in the first 20 minutes.  As a team though, Pitt-Johnstown outplayed the Golden Eagles, especially from the perimeter, knocking down 19 of their 31 shot attempts, including going six for ten from beyond the arc.  That shooting guided the Mountain Cats to a 10-point lead at the break, 46-36.
 
Charleston (15-6, 11-6 WVIAC) was paced by Lipkins who finished the half with 10 points, while UP-J (14-8, 10-8 WVIAC)  got 14 points each from Novak and Jordan Miller, who combined to go 12 of 14 from field in the first half.
 
Unlike the first half, the Mountain Lions haven’t been able to convert on their open looks allowing the Golden Eagles to creep back into the game by only trailing by three, 55-58, midway through the second half.  UC gets back in front after a three from Fred Simpson to put the Golden Eagles up 60-58 with seven minutes to play.
 
The Mountain Cats responded with a 8-0 run after a Novak drive to the rim to reclaim the lead 66-62 with only three minutes remaining. UP-J continued their run extending their lead out to eight points, 71-63, with two minutes left to go in the contest.  Charleston was forced to foul to extend the game, but UPJ was able to sink their free throws down the stretch to return home with a victory over the Golden Eagles, 82-72.
 
The Golden Eagles were led in the scoring column by Lipkins and Faulkner who finished 14 points each.  Pitt-Johnstown got a tremendous effort from Novak who went for 28 points while also dishing out six assists.
 
Charleston goes on the road Monday to take on West Liberty in a rematch from earlier in the season.