• Box Score

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (Jan. 3) – Behind a season-high 27 points from sophomore forward Kayla Smith (Elkins, W.Va./Elkins) and a double-double from junior guard Brooque Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry), the No. 5 California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team claimed an 80-59 victory over West Chester University at the Hollinger Fieldhouse on Saturday in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover action.

With the win, the Vulcans have won five of their last six games to improve to 7-2 overall. Meanwhile, the Golden Rams fall to 7-3 after losing their first home game of the season (5-1).

Smith scored a game-high 27 points after shooting 10-of-13 from the floor and a perfect seven-for-seven from the free-throw line. The reigning PSAC West Rookie of the Year also grabbed nine rebounds (four offensive) and collected four steals.

Williams finished with her sixth double-double of the season, posting 24 points and 11 rebounds against the Golden Rams. The athletic guard made 9-of-17 attempts from the field and collected six steals to increase her conference-leading total to 44.

Senior guard Crystal Andrews (Johnstown, Pa./Johnstown/Pitt-Johnstown) finished with 10 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while senior guard Lindsay Johnson (New Springfield, Ohio/Springfield) posted seven points and four rebounds against West Chester.

Leading 21-16 in the first half, the Vulcans mounted a 15-3 rally over the final 6:42 of the half to take a 36-19 lead into the break. During the run, West Chester missed all eight field-goal attempts and committed seven turnovers.

Cal U held a double-digit lead throughout the entire second half and clinched the victory with a 16-2 rally over a three-minute span to take a 60-32 lead with 13:40 left in the game. The Vulcans made six-of-seven shots from the floor during the rally with six points from Smith.

Defensively, Cal U forced 29 turnovers and held West Chester to a season-worst 34.5 shooting (20-of-58) from the field. The Vulcans also held a sizeable 41-34 advantage on the glass, collecting 18 offensive rebounds that were converted into 15 second-chance points. Cal U scored 30 points off turnovers with 14 fast-break points against West Chester.

For the game, the Vulcans shot 42.6 percent from the field, making 29-of-68 shots. The Golden Rams entered the game ranked third in the conference in scoring (77.8 points per game), but were limited to only 59 points after making just 7-of-27 shots in the first half.

Cal U continues PSAC Crossover play tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 4, when it travels to face Millersville University for a 1 p.m. tip-off. The Vulcans posted victories over the Marauders in the semifinals of the PSAC Tournament and the first round of the NCAA Tournament last season.

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