Pitt-Johnstown men’s and women’s basketball teams are gearing up for the conference tournament with three games remaining for each team.

The Mountain Cats split their two games this week, starting with a home win against Clarion University.

Senior forward Bill Luther led the team with 20 points and helped break a tie game that started a 16-2 to give the men a 78-67 victory.

Sophomore guard Nate Snodgrass added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists and with the win, the Mountain Cats advanced to 5-6 in conference and 12-9 overall.

The team could not avenge a Dec. 7 home loss as they lost to Slippery Rock University last Saturday, 88-77.

Junior Center Ian Vescovi led the game in points with 23 but his mindset is firmly focused on the future.

“We will need to have strong perfomances in our next two games,” he said.

“I think a key to succeeding (in the next two games) will be making sure we execute down the stretch when each possession becomes more valuable.”

The team fell to 12-10 overall, 5-7 in conference and currently has the final playoff spot in the conference’s western division.

The Lady Cats beat Slippery Rock last Saturday in a much-needed win after losing three straight, including a home loss to Clarion last Wednesday.

Junior forward Nicole Carman had a game high 19 points and led the team in rebounds with eight.

Senior forward Rachel Johnson added seven rebounds and currently is in 19th place in the Lady Cat All-Time Rebounding List, while Carman ranks 29th.

“I hope we play like we did last game, every game and (if we do) we will be ok,” Johnson said.

“It is my last couple games (of my collegiate career) so I want to end on a high note.”