• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Feb. 14) – After 18 lead changes throughout the game, the Vulcans suffered a narrow 64-62 loss to Lock Haven University on Saturday after missing a potential game-winning shot as time expired in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West game at Hamer Hall.

With the loss, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team falls to 11-11 overall and 4-6 in league play. Meanwhile, Lock Haven moves to 4-19 overall and 1-9 in divisional action.

Freshman forward Kelsey Williams (Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky) registered his first career double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds (three offensive). The reigning PSAC West Freshman of the Week made 6-of-12 shot attempts from the floor and six-of-seven free-throw attempts. Williams leads the Vulcans in scoring (11.5 per game) and rebounds (5.7 per game) this season.

Junior guard Jerial Nixon (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain Admiral King/Lakeland C.C.) finished with 13 points on three three-pointers. He also added seven rebounds and three assists in his eighth start of the season. Sophomore Joe Berenato (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) and junior forward Chris Moore (Ellicott City, Md./Howard/Morgan State (Md.)) each added eight points in the loss.

Cal U led 32-30 at halftime after a lay-up by Nixon as time expired in the first half. The two teams then combined for nine lead changes and four ties in the final 20 minutes of the game. Trailing by five points, 59-50, the Vulcans scored four-straight points after a dunk by Moore and a lay-up by junior forward Tanyen Pearson (Cincinnati, Ohio/Withrow/Colby C.C. (Kan.)) to cut the deficit to 59-58 with 3:25 remaining.

The two teams then traded basket before a free-throw gave the Bald Eagles a 62-60 lead with 2:13 left. Cal U answered with a game-tying jumper by senior guard Kenny Johnson (Beaver Falls, Pa./Beaver Falls/Ferrum (Va.)/CCBC) and 1:47 remaining. The next three possessions resulted in turnovers before senior guard Kevin McLean made a go-ahead jumper, 64-62, with nine seconds left. Cal U then missed a potential game-winning three-pointer from the corner as time expired.

For the game, the Vulcans shot 43.1 percent (25-of-58) from the floor and a season-best 77.8 percent (seven-of-nine) from the free-throw line. In comparison, the Bald Eagles shot at a 48.1 clip (26-of-54) from the field after making 50.0 percent (8-of-16) from beyond the arc.

Cal U held a 42-26 advantage on the glass, including 15 offensive rebounds, and scored 32 points from inside the paint.

McLean led three Lock Haven players in double figures with 20 points, while junior forward Christian Warren added 19 points and eight rebounds. Senior Bily Arre finished with 18 points to surpass the 2,000-career point plateau.

The Vulcans return to action with a two-game road trip, beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 18, with a contest at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.