• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Jan. 29) – Junior forward Steve Swiech (Greenock, Pa./Elizabeth-Forward) and sophomore guard Ryne Niemiec (Brownsville, Pa./Beth-Center) both scored 20 points on Saturday night, as the Vulcans earned a 74-49 victory over Lock Haven in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action.

With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team improves to 10-7 overall this season and moves into a tie for fourth place in the divisional standings with a 3-3 mark. Meanwhile, Lock Haven drops to 1-16 overall this year and remains winless in league play at 0-6.

Swiech tied his season high with 20 points (13 second half) on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor and four-of-six from the free-throw line. Since starting the last 11 games, he has scored in double-figures 10 times and now ranks third on the team with 11.3 points per game. Swiech also leads the Vulcans this season with a .608 field-goal percentage (76-of-125).

Niemiec registered a season-best 20 points (14 first half) off the bench, only one point shy of equaling his career high. He made five-of-eight from the floor, including five-of-six from beyond the arc, and was five-of-six from the charity stripe. He also collected three rebounds and three assists against the Bald Eagles.

Senior forward Rashawd Hatten (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) also scored in double-figures with 11 points and totaled five rebounds and four steals. Junior forward John Williams (Baltimore, Md./Mervo) contributed eight points and a team-high eight rebounds, while senior guard Joe Berenato (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) registered a career-high seven assists.

After Lock Haven held an early advantage, Cal U mounted an 11-0 run to take a 14-6 lead at the 13:52-mark. The Vulcans expanded their lead to double-digits before the Bald Eagles cut the deficit to five points, 25-20, with 7:33 remaining before the break. Cal U responded with a 15-6 run to close the half, taking a 40-26 lead at halftime after scoring 18 points from in the paint.

The Vulcans maintained their double-digit lead throughout the second half, as the Bald Eagles were only able to cut the deficit to 12 points, 42-30, with 18:16 remaining. Midway through the second half, Cal U mounted a 19-5 run over a span of eight-plus minutes to take a 74-43 lead with 1:41 left in the game.

For the game, the Vulcans shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58) from the floor and 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from the three-point territory. Meanwhile, Lock Haven made 37.5 percent (18-of-48) of its attempts from the field and just 46.2 percent (6-of-13) from the free-throw line.

Cal U out-rebounded Lock Haven by a 37-33 margin behind 14 offensive rebounds, which were converted into 16 second-chance points. The Vulcans also forced 24 turnovers, tallying 13 steals and 26 points off turnovers. Cal U also registered 19 assists – their second-most of the season – on 27 field goals.

Freshmen Jace Keller and Anthony Baker each scored a team-high 11 points for the Bald Eagles, while sophomore Armandi Marshall collected a team-best seven rebounds.

The Vulcans conclude the first round of PSAC West play on Wednesday, Feb. 2, when they host Clarion for an 8 p.m. tip-off. Live stats will be available by clicking here.