•
Box Score
•
Photo Gallery
CALIFORNIA (Jan. 16) - Despite a season-high 24 points from junior forward
Andrew Young (Philadelphia, Pa./Cheltenham) and committing only eight turnovers, the Vulcans dropped a 68-63 contest to Lock Haven at Hamer Hall in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play on Saturday evening.
With its second-straight loss, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball falls to 12-5 overall and 0-2 in league play this season. This marks the first time in recent program history (since 2002-03) that the Vulcans have lost their first two games in PSAC West play. Meanwhile, Lock Haven moves to 2-0 in divisional action and 5-8 overall this year.
Young led all players with 24 points (14 in the second half) after making 12-of-19 attempts from the floor. He also collected eight points (three offensive), one assist and one steal before fouling after playing 33 minutes. The Philadelphia native has led the Vulcans in scoring seven times this year.
Senior guard
Jerial Nixon (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain Admiral King) added 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and three blocks off the bench, while sophomore forward
Kelsey Williams (Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky) finished with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting, seven rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore guard
Travon Vann (Frederick, Md./St. John's Catholic Prep) collected a team-high six assists.
After Lock Haven took a 34-31 lead at halftime, the two teams combined for nine lead changes and five ties in the second half. The Vulcans trailed 56-50 before mounting an 8-2 rally capped with a dunk by Kelsey Williams to tie the game at 58-58 with 5:08 left in the game. The Bald Eagles broke the tie nearly 90 seconds later and led 64-59 before Nixon made it a three-point game, 64-61, with a lay-up and 1:17 remaining. However, Cal U was unable to score on its next three possessions while Lock Haven increased its lead to 68-61 with 20 seconds lefts.
For the game, Cal U shot 50.0 percent (29-of-58) from the field but just 10.0 percent (1for-10) from three-point territory. Lock Haven shot a similar 52.7 percent (29-of-55) from the floor and made 35.7 percent (5-of-14) from long range. Both teams struggled from the free-throw line, combing to make only 9-of-22 (40.9 percent) from the charity stripe.
For Lock Haven, senior forward Warren Christian scored a team-high 18 points and added seven rebounds and two blocks in the win. Sophomore Eric Brennan added 16 points and seven rebounds, while guard Dalexis Pena collected nine assists.
The Vulcans out-rebounded the Bald Eagles by a slim 31-29 advantage and scored 13 second-chance points after collecting 12 offensive rebounds.
Cal U continues its homestand on Wednesday, Jan. 20, when it hosts Clarion at 8 p.m. in Hamer Hall.