• Box Score

WHEELING, W.Va. (Dec. 29) – Despite five players scoring in double figures, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team suffered a 95-89 loss to West Liberty on Tuesday in the first day of the Main Street Bank Classic hosted by Wheeling Jesuit.

The Vulcans drop to 7-2 this year after having their seven-game winning streak snapped. Their last loss came over a month ago at the Alaska Invitational tip-off tournament. Meanwhile, the Hilltoppers rebounded from their first loss of the year on Dec. 12 to move to 7-1 this season.

Senior guard Jerial Nixon (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain Admiral King) scored a team-high 16 points on five-of-nine from the floor and four-of-five from the free-throw line. The Ohio native also added five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the loss. Sophomore Travon Vann (Frederick, Md./St. John's Catholic Prep) added a season- and career-high 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting with seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

Junior transfer forward Andrew Young (Philadelphia, Pa./Cheltenham) and true freshman guard Ryne Niemiec (Brownsville, Pa./Beth-Center) each posted 13 points off the bench. Young shot five-of-eight from the field and collected five rebounds while Niemiec made three three-pointers and collected three assists. Junior forward Rashawd Hatten (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) rounded out the Cal U quintet with 11 points and five rebounds.

After West Liberty took a 46-43 lead into halftime, the two teams combined for 14 lead changes and five ties in the second half. Trailing 86-82 with 3:38 remaining in the game, the Vulcans evened the score at 86-86 with field goals on back-to-back offensive possessions. Following a Hilltopper free-throw that made it a one-point game, Nixon gave Cal U its final lead of the game at 89-87 with a pair of free-throws with 2:17 left. However, West Liberty scored the final eight points of the game after making its last two field-goal attempts and shooting four-of-five from the free-throw line.

In the loss, the Vulcans shot a season-high 61.4 percent (35-of-57) from the floor highlighted by a season-best 52.9 percent (i9-of-17) from beyond the arc. In comparison, the Hilltoppers made 48.4 percent (31-of-64) of their shots and 56.5 percent (13-of-23) from three-point territory.

Cal U also held a 33-30 advantage on the glass, but West Liberty scored 15 second-chance points on 14 offensive rebounds. The Vulcans also committed 22 turnovers, only their second 20-turnover game of the season (both losses).

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 30, when they face the host Cardinals in the second and final day of the Main Street Bank Classic. The game against is set for a 6 p.m. start. In the other game of the classic on Tuesday, Wheeling Jesuit posted a 67-59 victory over Millersville.