Box Score Johnstown, Pa.---The Wheeling Jesuit men's basketball team fell 79-71 on the road to the University of Pitt-Johnstown Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals moved to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in WVIAC play, while UPJ improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in league play.
 
Wheeling Jesuit opened the contest with a two point lead and controlled the scoreboard for the initial seven minutes until back-to-back strikes from the Mountain Cats gave the home squad an 18-16 lead. UPJ never relinquished lead, establishing a 41-34 halftime advantage.
 
After the break, UPJ extended the lead to as many as 11 points, but the Cardinals continued to battle and brought the game within striking distance in the final two minutes of regulation.
 
After a pair of UPJ free throws established a 70-63 advantage with 2:51 left to play, WJU's Siefert brothers connected with back-to-back layups to cut the deficit to three points, 70-67. The Mountain Cats followed with three consecutive free throws, but consecutive lay-ins by Philip Green kept the game at a three point differential, 74-71. The Mountain Cats added a field goal and three foul shots in the final minute of the game to hold on for the win.
 
Justin Fritts led Wheeling Jesuit's offense with 22 points, shooting 8-for-15 from the floor. Darin Harris followed with 11 points and eight rebounds, while Ben Siefert chipped in 10 rebounds with nine points. Green registered nine points and Recardo Gaddy had eight. Joe Prati and Eric Siefert rounded out the scoring with seven and five, respectively.
 
The Cardinals will be back in action on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at the Alma Grace McDonough Center against Shepherd University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.