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Box Score
MANKATO, Minn. (Nov. 19) – Junior
Amy Johns (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) scored a career-high 21 points on Friday evening and freshman
Ryah Gadson (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) made a pair of free-throws in the final seconds, as the No. 19 Vulcans earned a 73-68 season-opening victory against Bemidji State (Minn.) in the first day of the Maverick Classic hosted by Minnesota State Mankato.
The California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team has won its last four season-openers and eight of its last nine with the only loss coming at Pittsburgh (2006-07). Bemidji State suffered the loss after finishing with a 12-15 overall record last season.
Johns posted 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the floor and three-of-four from the free-throw line. The former McKeesport standout also collected six points, four assists and two steals against the Beavers. Last season, Johns averaged 9.0 points per game and twice scored a high of 19 points.
Senior All-America candidate
Kayla Smith (Elkins, W.Va./Elkins) recorded her 45th career double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds (nine offensive). She made 5-of-11 attempts from the field and 7-of-12 from the charity stripe. Smith also collected four steals in the victory.
Sophomore guard
Stephanie Michael (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) also scored in double figures, finishing with 12 points behind a trio of three-pointers. Junior guard
Danielle Luckett (Chicago, Ill./James Hubert Blake (Md.)) and Gadson each added eight points against Bemidji State.
Johns gave the Vulcans a 70-61 lead with 1:14 remaining in the game before the Beavers scored seven-straight points to cut the deficit to two points, 70-68, with 28 second left. Michael then made the first of two free-throws at the 25-second mark before Johns grabbed the offensive rebound on Michael's second attempt. Gadson then sealed the victory after making both free-throws with 13 seconds left, 73-68. Johns followed by collecting a steal on the ensuing Bemidji State possession to preserve the five-point win.
Both teams shot similar percentages from the floor with Cal U shooting 45.0 percent (27-of-60) and Bemidji State making 42.2 percent (19-of-45). The Beavers benefited from seven three-pointers and made 76.7 percent (23-of-30) from the free-throw line, while the Vulcans made only 57.7 percent (15-of-26) from the charity stripe.
The Vulcans collected 16 steals after forcing the Beavers into 28 turnovers and Bemidji State held a slim 37-34 advantage on the glass.
Cal U returns to the court at the Maverick Classic Tournament tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 20, when it faces host Minnesota State Mankato at 5 p.m.
