• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Feb. 7) – The Vulcans sealed a 59-56 win after making five-of-six free-throws in the final minute of the game against Gannon on Sunday afternoon at Hamer Hall in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play.

With its second-straight win, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team improves to 14-9 overall and 2-6 in league action. Meanwhile, Gannon falls to 9-11 this season and 4-4 in divisional play. Since the Golden Knights joined the PSAC last year, the two teams have split the four meetings with the home team winning each game.

Sophomore forward Kelsey Williams (Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky) scored a team-high 17 points (13 in the second half) on seven-of-seven shooting from the floor and three-of-six from the free-throw line. The Ohio native has scored in double-figures in each of his last 10 games while shooting over 62 percent (54-of-87) from the field.

Senior guard Jerial Nixon (Lorain, Ohio/Lorain Admiral King) posted 12 of his 14 points in the second half, while sophomore forward Travon Vann (Frederick, Md./St. John's Catholic Prep) finished with nine points and five rebounds. Junior forward Rashawd Hatten (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) added nine points, six rebounds and two steals off the bench.

Leading 54-51 with 1:46 remaining, Vann expanded the lead to five points after making two free-throws. Gannon countered with a pair of free-throws before Vann made a free-throw with 10 seconds left to make it a 57-53 lead. Golden Knights' sophomore guard Steve Piotrowicz followed with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 57-56 before Young sealed the win with a pair of free-throws with four seconds remaining.

In the first half, the Vulcans took the last lead change of the game by mounting an 11-0 rally over a six-plus minute span to take a 23-14 lead with 3:46 remaining before halftime. Cal U eventually took a 27-24 lead into the break before expanding its lead to as many as 10 points, 34-24, after a three-pointer by Nixon with 18:54 left in the game.

After shooting over 47 percent in the second half, the Vulcans finished the game making 43.1 percent (22-of-51) from the floor. In comparison, the Golden Knights shot 39.2 percent (20-of-51) from the field after making seven three-pointers in the loss.

Junior forward Travis Brannen led Gannon with 19 points, while Piotrowicz and junior guard Danard Crouch each finished with 10 points off the bench.

In the win, Cal U was out-rebounded by a 40-29 margin but scored 25 points off turnovers as it forced Gannon into 20 turnovers. The Vulcans also collected 12 assists led by four from sophomore guard Chad Tipton (Hanover, Pa./South Western).

The Vulcans return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 10, when they open a two-game road trip by traveling to face Clarion at 8 p.m. In the first meeting this season, the Golden Eagles posted a 79-76 victory on a buzzer-beater.