• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Jan. 7) – Behind a season-high 19 points from Jerial Nixon (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain Admiral King/Lakeland C.C. (Ohio)), including four free-throws down the stretch, the Vulcans claimed a 73-64 victory over Lake Erie College at Hamer Hall on Wednesday.

The victory moves the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team to 5-5 on the season and snaps a three-game losing streak. With the loss, Lake Erie falls to 5-13.

Nixon finished with 19 points on seven-of-nine attempts from the floor and four-for-four from the free-throw line in 21 minutes off the bench. The Ohio native scored 15 points of his 19 points in 12 minutes during the second half.

The Vulcans featured four players in double figures, all reserves. Junior forward Chris Moore (Ellicott City, Md./Howard/Morgan State (Md.)) finished with 14 points on five-of-seven shooting with six rebounds and two blocks, while sophomore guard Joe Berenato (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) added 11 points off the bench. Redshirt freshman forward Kelsey Williams (Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky) posted 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds (four offensive) in 26 minutes off the bench.

The Storm held a 14-5 lead early in the first half before the Vulcans mounted a 14-4 run to claim a 19-18 lead with 9:18 left on a dunk by Moore. The remainder of the first half featured three lead changes and two ties, as the two teams entered halftime tied at 34-34.

On its first three possessions of the second half, Cal U scored six-straight points to take a 40-34 lead with 18:24 remaining – the final lead change of the game. The Vulcans stretched their lead to seven points several times, including 56-49 with 9:33 left. Lake Erie responded with seven-straight points to tie the score at 56-56 before again tying the score at 64-64 with 3:27 remaining. Nixon broke the tie with a crucial three-pointer at the 2:57-mark before hitting four free-throws in the final two minutes. Holding a 71-64 lead with 30 seconds remaining, senior guard Kenny Johnson (Beaver Falls, Pa. /Beaver Falls/Ferrum (Va.)/CCBC) made a pair of free-throws to seal the victory.

For the game, Cal U shot 52.1 percent (25-of-48) from the field and made a season-high 21 free-throws. Meanwhile, Lake Erie made 44.1 percent (26-of-59) of its shots with nine three-pointers.

The Vulcans out-rebounded The Storm by a 36-25 margin behind 15 offensive rebounds. Cal U also collected 11 steals after forcing 17 turnovers.

Sophomore guard Ethan Bradshaw led Lake Erie with 19 points, while senior forward Rick Leasure added 18 points behind four three-pointers.

Cal U returns to action in the first of two weekend Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover games at Hamer Hall, beginning Saturday, Jan. 10, against Cheyney University. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.