INDIANA, Pa. – The Concord University men's basketball team started fast in each half as it defeated Pitt-Johnstown 78-71 Saturday night inside Kovalchick Arena on IUP's campus as part of the Hilton Garden Inn Tipoff Classic.

CU (2-0) started the game on a 17-2 run as it led the Mountain Cats (0-2) by 15 points at the 14:39 mark. However, Pitt-Johnstown rattled off a 23-6 spurt to take a 25-23 lead with 6:56 remaining in the first half. Senior guard JJ Harper drilled a three-pointer on the next possession to restore a one-point lead.

After stemming the tide, Concord used a three-pointer from senior guard Jordan Wooden to go up 33-27 with 3:38 remaining in the first half.

The six-point lead, 39-33, would standup at halftime.

The Mountain Lions went on a 13-8 scoring run over the first seven minutes of the second half to open up a 52-41 lead on the Mountain Cats. And CU's advantage extended out to 65-48 with 9:18 remaining in the game.

Concord was able to keep UPJ at arm's length until Pitt-Johnstown got within six, 76-70, with 1:34 remaining. But, the surge was too late as a chance to cut the margin to four points turned into a block for Harper with 1:13 remaining.

Harper led all scorers with 16 points. Sophomore guard Kollin Tolbert recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Sophomore forward Rene Diop dropped in 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Junior guard Corey Boston got to double figures with 10 points in 13 minutes off the bench.

For a second straight game, Concord shot 50 percent (13-for-26) in the second half. For the game, the Mountain Lions hit on 43.9 percent of their shots (29-for-66).

CU owned a 52-38 advantage in rebounds, and held the Mountain Cats to 39.2 percent shooting.

Saturday night was head coach Todd May's 100^th career win at Concord.

Concord opens its home schedule 7:30 p.m. Wednesday against Mercer County rival Bluefield State.