By the Mon Valley Independent
The No. 8-ranked California (Pa.) men’s basketball team had no issues ousting visiting Slippery Rock in the quarterfinals of the PSAC Tournament Wednesday.
Sophomore KJ McClurg poured in a game-high 22 points and teammate Bryson Lucas chipped in 20 to lead the way for the Vulcans (26-3).
California rolled out to a dominant 44-22 lead at the half and cruised to the win.
Four players hit double figures for the Vulcans, as Donald Whitehead Jr. finished with 12 points.
Jermaine Hall Jr. was dominant on the boards, finishing with 11 points and ripping down 17 rebounds. Fourteen of his boards came on the defensive glass.
Maceo Austin led Slippery Rock (16-14) with a team-high 15 points. Ike Herster chipped in 10 points.
As a team, The Rock finished a dismal 21 of 71 from the floor, including only 4 of 29 from three-point range.
The Vulcans shot 48.4% from the field and hit 9 of 18 shots from behind the arc. Hall and Whitehead combined to go 5 for 8 from deep.
With the win, the Vulcans advanced to the PSAC semifinals, which will be hosted by Gannon University, Saturday.
California will face Lock Haven, the No. 1 seed from the PSAC East at a time to be determined.
Women
California (Pa.) 57, IUP 54
The Vulcans overcame a 45-40 deficit entering the fourth quarter to come up with a win and move on to play No. 22 Lock Haven in the PSAC semifinals Saturday.
The Bald Eagles will host the finals and semifinals after finishing as the top seed out of the PSAC East.
California pulled out to a 17-8 lead after one but was outscored 37-23 in the middle two quarters.
The Crimson Hawks held a 52-44 advantage with 6:52 left before the Vulcans came storming back. California went on an 8-0 run to tie it before IUP retook a 54-52 lead with 1:44 left.
On the next possession, Dejah Terrell knocked down a three to give California its first lead since 7:21 was left in the third quarter.
IUP’s Rahmena Henderson missed a three-pointer with 47 seconds left and Allycia Harris came up with a steal after an offensive rebound to give the Vulcans possession leading 55-54.
With 10 seconds left, Harris made a layup to finish the scoring at 57-54.