• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Jan. 11) – After shooting over 50 percent from the floor in the second half, the Vulcans claimed a 70-60 victory against Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover action at Hamer Hall on Sunday.

With its third-straight win, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team improves to 7-5 overall. Meanwhile, Shippensburg falls to 8-5 this season.

Senior forward Julian Logan (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix/Owens C.C. (Ohio)) scored 14 points and collected seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals off the bench for the Vulcans. Senior guard Jesse Brooks (Severn, Md./Archbishop Spalding/Maryland Eastern Shore) added 13 points off the bench, while junior guard Jerial Nixon (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain Admiral King/Lakeland C.C. (Ohio)) finished with 11 points.

After taking a 25-23 lead into halftime, Cal U expanded its lead to nine points, 33-24, early in the second half on lay-up by Brooks. Shippensburg responded with an 18-5 rally to even the score at 38-38 with 11:37 remaining. The teams continued to exchange baskets to a 46-46 tie before the Vulcans mounted a decisive 14-4 rally over a five-minute span. During the run, Cal U made six-of-seven shot attempts and the Shippensburg bench was whistled for a technical foul.

The Vulcans, who made only 56.8 percent of their free-throws prior to the game, made eight-of-eight free-throws in the final two minutes to seal the win. Logan helped capitalize the win with a dunk off a pass from Brooks.

Cal U opened the game cold from the floor, missing its first 11 field-goal attempts, but still only trailed 11-3. With the Red Raiders leading 16-8, the Vulcans mounted a 13-1 rally to take a 21-17 lead after not allowing Shippensburg to make a field goal in four-plus minutes.

Shippensburg was led by 14 points and six rebounds by junior center Derrick Graff. Guards Ryan Kraft and Lamar Drayton both finished with 12 points, while junior Stephon Draper collected five assists.

Behind a combined 15 rebounds from junior forward Chris Moore (Ellicott City, Md./Howard/Morgan State (Md.)) and Logan, the Vulcans out-rebounded the Red Raiders by a 42-34 margin with 17 offensive rebounds.

Moore was a dominant presence in the post, finishing with eight rebounds (four offensive) and five blocks.

For the game, Cal U shot 37.9 percent (25-of-66) from the field including a 53.3 mark (16-of-30) in the second half. Shippensburg finished the contest with a 38.5 shooting percentage (20-of-52) from the floor.

The Vulcans committed only 11 turnovers and recorded nine blocks against the Red Raiders.

Cal U opens PSAC West play on Wednesday, Jan. 14, when it hosts conference-newcomer No. 7 Gannon University for an 8 p.m. contest.