• Box Score

CLARION, Pa. (Jan. 21) – Junior forward Chris Moore (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) made a pair of pivotal blocks in the final minute of play and the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team made three-of-four free-throws in the final minute to earn a 57-54 victory over Clarion University at Tippin Gym on Wednesday night in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action.

The Vulcans extended their win streak to six games and improve to 10-5 overall and 3-0 in divisional action. Meanwhile, the Bald Eagles fall to 9-6 and 0-3 in league play.

Junior guard Jerial Nixon (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain Admiral King) led a trio of Cal U players in double-figure scoring with 15 points off the bench. The Ohio native shot 6-of-10 from the field and made three-of-four free-throws, including two with 37 seconds left to give the Vulcans a 56-54 lead.

Freshman forward Kelsey Williams (Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky) and senior forward Julian Logan (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix) added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Williams added seven rebounds and two blocks, while Logan collected a team-high eight rebounds (four rebounds).

After Cal U held a 29-28 halftime lead, the two teams battled to five ties and six lead changes in the second half. The Vulcans took a 48-44 lead with 6:33 remaining in the game on a jumper by Williams before the Golden Eagles scored four-straight points to tie the contest 48-48 with 5:08 left. The two teams exchanged baskets to bring the score to 50-50 before Shameel Carty gave Clarion a 51-50 edge after hitting a free-throw to complete a three-point play.

The Golden Eagles took a 54-52 lead before senior guard Jesse Brooks (Severn, Md./Archbishop Spalding) drilled a jumper to tie the game at 54-54 with 1:14 remaining. On the ensuing possession, Moore made a block with 40 seconds left before Nixon made two free-throws to give the Vulcans their final lead change of the night, 56-54. With eight seconds left Moore again prevented a Clarion score with his fifth block of the game. Senior guard Kenny Johnson (Beaver Falls, Pa./Beaver Falls) made one-of-two free-throws to make a 57-54 lead before a last-second three-point attempt fell short and was collected by Moore.

For the game, Cal U shot 50 percent (23-of-46) from the floor, including 10-of-18 (55.6 percent) in the second half. Despite shooting just 50.0 percent (11-of-22) from the free-throw line, the Vulcans made three of their last four attempts in the final 37 seconds to earn the victory.

Clarion held a slim 36-35 advantage on the glass, but the Vulcans held a significant presence in the post by registering a season-high 13 blocks and scoring 30 points from inside the paint.

Cal U continues PSAC West play on Saturday, Jan. 24, when it hosts Edinboro University for an 8 p.m. start on Alumni Day. There will be an Alumni Game at Hamer Hall at 3 p.m. on Saturday.