Men’s Basketball to Tip-Off Against U.D.C. Wednesday in Sports Center Head Coach Bob Rukavina (21st year) and the Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cat men’s basketball team, coming off of their second straight NCAA Division II Tournament berth, will tip-off the 2009-10 season against the University of the District of Columbia, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Sports Center.
The Mountain Cats tip-off the season after posting a 24-8 record in 2008-09. Pitt-Johnstown won the WVIAC Tournament title and advanced to its second straight NCAA Regional Tournament. The Mountain Cats must replace four starters from a year ago, but Pitt-Johnstown returns senior guards Andy Byer (Tire Hill, Pa.) and Jordan Medich (North Huntingdon, Pa.) and senior forward Steve Heidenthal (Clymer, Pa.). In addition, 2008-09 WVIAC All-Freshman Team choice Patrick Grubbs (Turtle Creek, Pa.) returns to his starting center position. Coach Rukavina also added six recruits, including 2009 Associated Press Pennsylvania All-State selections Nick Novak (Murrysville, Pa.) and Jordan Miller (Mineral Point, Pa.).
Head Coach Jeff Ruland’s (1st season), University of District of Columbia Firebirds opened the season with a 78-73 overtime loss at New York Institute of Technology on Sunday. Chris Leach led U.D.C. with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Nigel Munson and Keith Brooks each added 12 points.
The Mountain Cats hold an 18-8 lead over the Firebirds in a series that dates back to the 1995-96 season. Last year, Pitt-Johnstown earned an 87-69 victory at U.D.C. on February 2. Marcus Tullis (Johnstown, Pa.) scored 30 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead the Mountain Cats.
Pitt-Johnstown opens the 2009-10 WVIAC schedule at Wheeling Jesuit (WV) University on Tuesday, before beginning a five-game home stand with a non-conference game against California (PA) on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 4 p.m. in the Sports Center.
