The Pitt-Johnstown men’s basketball team had nearly a month away from the game while the university was on its semester break.

In fact, the team did not practice while the university was closed.

During the first week of classes, the team was back at it, and head coach Bob Rukavina said the team had to get back into playing shape.

“We did a lot of running the first couple of days,” said Rukavina. “We practiced twice a day Monday through Thursday.”

The Mountain Cats had won four games before the three weeks without basketball, and freshmen Jordan Miller said the break wasn’t what the team needed.

“The break doesn’t necessarily help us (the team),” said Miller. “But a good week of practice is just what we needed.”

Senior Andy Byer said the team had to re-focus quickly in order to get ready for a tough conference stretch.

“We’ve tried to keep the intensity up at practice,” said Byer. “All of us were in the same boat trying to get back in game shape, so, if we (the seniors) saw anyone getting tired or lazy, we would try to push everyone to keep working hard.”

Rukavina said Byer has done a good job of being a leader for the team.

“He (Byer) isn’t the loudest guy out there on the court,” said Rukavina. “But when he talks, everyone listens.”

Byer said he works with the coaches by trying to be one on the court.

“I lead more by example than vocally,” said Byer. “But, if I see a time where a voice other than the coaches needed to be heard, then I try my best to step in.”

Miller said the example the seniors set has helped him get ready to play again, but transitioning back to basketball has been somewhat easy.

“Some of the other guys have been here for four years, and they are used to it,” said Miller. “But, during the first semester, we didn’t have basketball right away, so I learned to acclimate and make my schedule work.”

The team stumbled coming out of the block, losing its first three games to Charlestown (W. Va.), West Virginia State and Davis and Elkins (W. Va.).

After the loss to Davis and Elkins last Thursday, the team is now 5-6, 1-6 in West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

Rukavina said he was not used to his team playing this way after a semester break.

“The break usually doesn’t hurt us,” said Rukavina. “We usually win our first couple of games back.”

In the past four years, in their first four games after break, the Mountain Cats have won 14 of 16 games.

Byer said the team has not been discouraged after losing to three tough conference opponents.

“We lost to two of the top teams in the conference,” said Byer. “But we proved that we can beat any team in the conference.

“We just have to start putting together a full good game of basketball. One good half of basketball is not going to win us games.”