JOHNSTOWN, Pa.  – The PSAC's third ranked defense was on full display Saturday afternoon as the Edinboro University women's basketball team used lockdown defense to score a 53-41 victory over Pitt-Johnstown at the Sports Center, recording a fourth consecutive season-sweep of the Lady Cats.  With the win, the Fighting Scots improved to 18-4 overall and 14-2 in the PSAC West while UPJ dropped their fifth game in a row to sit at 7-16 overall and 3-14 in conference action.
 
Despite enjoying a bye this past Wednesday, the Fighting Scots clinched a playoff spot for a seventh consecutive season and continue to stay in the hunt for a first round bye. Edinboro remained in second place in the PSAC West with today's win.
 
The high-pressure Edinboro defense lived up to the billing this afternoon as they forced UPJ into 32 turnovers and recorded 20 steals, leading to a 29-10 advantage in points off turnovers. The Fighting Scots entered Saturday's contest ranked 12th in the nation in turnovers forced per game (22.71) while their 256 total steals ranked eighth.
 
The Fighting Scots had to overcome a sluggish start that saw UPJ take a 14-8 lead after the opening quarter. Edinboro made 2-of-14 shots in the first ten minutes. Edinboro dominated the next two quarters, outscoring the Lady Cats 36-13 in the second and third quarter to take a 17-point lead at 44-27 heading to the fourth.
 

Edinboro scored the first nine points of the second quarter to take the lead the lead for good just under four minutes into the quarter. Seven of the Fighting Scots nine points during that stretch came from the charity stripe, including Jontay Walton's free throw after being fouled on a layup to complete the traditional 3-point play.
 
The Fighting Scots outscored the Lady Cats 14-1 over the final 5:37 of the third quarter to take the 17-point lead heading to the fourth and led by double digits the rest of the way. Michelle Jahn capped the run with back-to-back 3-pointers to close the period. Edinboro forced UPJ into 13 turnovers in the third quarter alone.
 
Walton led a trio of Fighting Scots scoring in double figures, finishing with 12 points and four steals off the bench. Jahn added 12 points and five steals, while Ciara Rosten dropped in 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
 
The Fighting Scots were victorious despite being outrebounded 53-34 and shooting 23.9 percent (17-of-71) from the field, including hitting just 5-of-21 3-pointers. The Lady Cats also struggled from the field, finishing 29.3 percent (12-of-41) and converted just 2-of-12 3-pt. attempts.
 
Oliva McCabe was the lone Lady Cat to finish in double figures, totaling 18 points. She was also dominant on the glass as she grabbed a game-high 22 boards. Victoria Moreland finished with seven points before fouling out.
 
The Fighting Scots return to McComb Fieldhouse for the first time in two weeks on Wednesday, February 8. Edinboro will host Seton Hill while also celebrating Fighting Scots Fighting Cancer as they hold their second annual "Hoops for Harlie" event. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.