• Box Score

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (Jan. 3) – Led by senior guard Kenny Johnson (Beaver Falls, Pa./Beaver Falls), the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team mounted a furious last-minute rally on Saturday before losing 61-60 to West Chester University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover action on Saturday at the Hollinger Fieldhouse.

With losses in their last two games, the Vulcans fall to 4-4 overall after previously posting four-straight victories. The Golden Rams extend their winning streak to three games and move to 7-2 on the season.

Johnson scored a season and career-high 25 points after shooting 9-of-16 from the field, including 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. The 6-0 guard was a key player down the stretch for Cal U, scoring 12 of his 19 second-half points in the final 1:33 of the game. Johnson also collected three assists and three steals against West Chester.

Graduate student forward Samba Fall (Dakar, Senegal (Africa)/Jean DeLafontaine) posted a season-high 11 points on five-of-seven shooting, while junior guard Jerial Nixon (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain Admiral King) scored eight points and collected six rebounds. Senior forward Julian Logan (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix) – the Vulcans' leading scorer – was limited to only one point in 17 minutes due to foul trouble.

West Chester seemed to hold an insurmountable lead at 55-44 with 1:33 remaining. However, Johnson and Cal U mounted an impressive rally down the stretch. Johnson drilled a pair of three-pointers within a span of 20 seconds to cut the lead to 56-50 with 1:06 left. After a Golden Ram turnover, Johnson converted a three-point play after being fouled on a jumper, 56-53, with 58 seconds remaining.

The Golden Rams then held a 59-54 lead with 12 second left before Johnson again cut the deficit, 59-57, with a trey and 12 seconds left on the clock. West Chester junior Kehinde Roberts made a pair of free-throws with seven seconds remaining to stretch the lead to 61-57 before Johnson made another three-pointer, 61-60, with six seconds left. The Vulcans forced a turnover with two seconds remaining before the potential buzz beater by Johnson was unsuccessful.

For the game, Cal U shot 42.3 percent (22-of-52) from the field with seven three-pointers. In comparison, West Chester made 39.6 percent (19-of-48) of its shots and struggled from beyond the arc, making just 2-of-11 three-point attempts.

The Vulcans continue PSAC Crossover play tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 4, when they travel to face Millersville University in a rematch of last season's NCAA East Regional Championship game. Tip-off between Cal U and Millersville is set for 3 p.m. at the Pucillo Gymnasium.

Fans can follow the action between Cal U and Millersville tomorrow via live stats or via audio stream.