California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Undoubtedly, the NCAA had Lara Thornton in mind when women’s college basketball incorporated the three-point shot in the 1987-88 season.

Thornton played for the Vulcan women from 1991 through 1994 and stamped her name indelibly on the school, conference, and NCAA record books while helping Cal establish itself as one of the top teams in the NCAA East Region.
A starter midway throug her freshman season, Thornton finished her remarkable career with 1,892 points. Six years later, she is still Cal U’s career-leading scorer and ranks 10th in PSAC history. The Cal U Hall of Fame did not exist while Thornton played but she is pleased to be a member.

“When I came to Cal as a freshman I wanted to work hard enough to become an All-American and the all-time leading scorer,” Thornton said. “The Hall of Fame was not around at that time, but once it came about I certainly hoped my accomplishments would lead to an induction.”

After averaging 10 points and four rebounds as a freshman, Thornton led the team in scoring as a sophomore and was 36th nationally, averaging 19.2 points per game. She received PSAC Rookie of the Week twice in 1991 and was twice named PSAC Player of the Week in 1992. Cal compiled a 20-8 mark in 1990-91 with a third straight conference playoff appearance and the 20 wins was a single-season school record.

Thornton’s consistency continued as an upperclassman. She averaged 17.4 points and 5.6 rebounds a game in 1992-93 and her 85 three-point baskets (3.3 per game) was fourth best among all NCAA Division II players.

For a finale, Thornton helped Cal enjoy its best season ever in 1993-94. Voted the team’s Most Valuable Player, Thornton led the PSAC in scoring, averaging 23.1 points a game with a school-record 103 three-point baskets that remains the third best total in the conference. Her 669 points was also single-season school record that still ranks sixth statewide. The most memorable game in a season full of triumphs and milestones was Thornton’s thundering 46-point performance in Cal U’s heartbreaking 71-69 home loss to Clarion in the 1994 PSAC Championship game. Thornton netted an amazing 12 three-point baskets which was an NCAA record for all divisions at the time and is still the best in Division II. The 46-point effort is still a PSAC championship game record that is the third highest single-game point total in conference history. Cal finished the season with a school-best 21-8 overall record and made its first and only NCAA tournament appearance.
Thornton was a 1994 first-team All-PSAC selection and NCAA Division II Kodak All-America Honorable-Mention selection, who also received a Cal U Distinguished Service Award. Thornton is still listed 20 times in the PSAC women’s basketball record book and still owns the top three single-game records for made three-pointers (12, 10, 9) as well as single-season fieldgoal attempts (669).

“It is hard to single out any one moment but I remember when I scored my 1,000th point in my junior season because at the time I had no idea I was closing in on it,” Thornton said. “I remember being mad when they stopped the game and then I was really surprised when I realized it was for me.”

Originally from Huntington, West Virginia, and a 1990 graduate of Milton High School where she was an All-State standout in basketball, softball, and volleyball, Thornton earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 1994 and worked as a graduate assistant with both the California TIMES and Cal U sports information.

The daughter of Jeff and Donna Thornton, Lara is single and resides in Casselberry, Florida. She is an award-winning communications director for the University of Central Florida’s athletic department where she designs UCF’s athletic web page and publications.

“I believe the dedication and commitment to succeed is there because of my college experience,” said Thornton. “The things I miss most about my college experience are my friends and teammates. I truly enjoyed my time at Cal.”