• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Feb. 25) – Guards Brooque Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa./Perry) and Lindsay Johnson (New Springfield, Ohio/Springfield) each moved up the all-time scoring list and five Vulcans scored in double figures, as the No. 3 California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team posted a 76-55 win over Slippery Rock University at Hamer Hall on Wednesday in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play.

With the victory, the Vulcans clinch at least a share of the PSAC West regular season title for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. Entering the final weekend of the regular season, Cal U holds a 23-3 overall mark with a 12-1 record in divisional play and a 1.5 game lead in the league standings. Meanwhile, Slippery Rock falls to 11-15 overall and 6-7 in league action.

The Vulcans have won the last 16 meetings against The Rock, dating back to the 2001-02 season. Cal U, who still holds the No. 1 spot in the Atlantic Region, moved up three spots in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll this week.

Williams collected her 18th double-double of the year with 24 points and 14 rebounds (five offensive). She made 10-of-22 shots from the field and four-of-six attempts from the free-throw line. The Pittsburgh native also registered four assists and three steals in 38 minutes of action. Williams now ranks eighth in school history with 1,362 career points, moving past the mark of 1,347 set by Denise Hearn (1981-85).

Johnson finished with 15 points against The Rock to move into 11th place in school history with 1,153 points. The 5-11 guard from Ohio shot six-of-nine from the floor and collected five rebounds (all offensive) with three steals.

Sophomore forward Kayla Smith (Elkins, W.Va./Elkins) added a double-double in the win with 14 points and 12 rebounds (five offensive). Classmate Amber Dubyak (Hastings, Pa./Cambria Heights) finished with 11 points, while senior guard Shaquetta Mance (Flint, Mich./Hamady/Mott C.C. (Mich.)) posted 10 points off the bench.

Senior point guard Crystal Andrews (Johnstown, Pa./Johnstown/Pitt-Johnstown) directed the offense with eight assists, while also collecting six rebounds and three steals.

After a slow start to the game, Cal U held a 15-9 lead midway through the first half before mounting a 21-4 rally over 11-plus minutes to stretch its lead to 25 points, 36-11. During the run, the Vulcans forced seven turnovers and allowed The Rock to make only 1-of-10 shots from the floor. Cal U eventually took a 42-15 lead into halftime after scoring 24 points off 17 first-half turnovers by Slippery Rock.

The Vulcans scored the first points of the second half to take a 29-point lead, 44-15, before The Rock cut the deficit to 21 points, 46-25, with 14:11 remaining. Cal U responded with a 10-3 rally to seal the victory with a 56-28 lead and 11:31 left in the game.

After shooting over 51 percent in the first half, Cal U finished the game with a .458 field-goal percentage (33-of-72). In comparison, Slippery Rock managed to shoot only 32.7 percent (18-of-55) from the floor.

Behind 26 combined rebounds by Williams and Smith, the Vulcans out-rebounded The Rock by a 52-27 margin. Cal U also scored 44 points from inside the paint.

Senior guard Chere' Marshall led Slippery Rock with 16 points, while junior guard Julie Molly scored 14 points behind four three-pointers.

Cal U concludes the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28, when it hosts Mercyhurst College on Senior Night, which coincides with Take A Kid to the Game event held by the Vulcans. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start at Hamer Hall.