• Box Score

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. (Nov. 19) – With the game tied in the final minute of play, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team scored the final three points of the game to register a 74-71 victory at Shippensburg in Heiges Field House on Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Vulcans open the year with a 3-0 record for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign. The victory also moves Cal U to 1-0 in conference play, as Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover games are counted toward the divisional standings this season. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders remain winless this season (0-3, 0-1).

Redshirt junior guard Travon Vann (Frederick, Md./St. John's Catholic Prep) scored a team-high 14 points on four-of-seven shooting from the field and six-of-nine from the free-throw line. He also collected five rebounds, five assists and three steals in 31 minutes off the bench.

Junior swingman Quentin Harding (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) finished with 12 points and three assists, while senior forward Steve Swiech (Greenock, Pa./Elizabeth-Forward) posted 10 points and seven rebounds (four offensive). Freshman forward Jeremy Posey (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) added nine points, a team-high nine rebounds and five blocks in 22 minutes off the bench.

With Shippensburg leading 45-43 early in the second half, Cal U mounted an 18-4 rally over five-plus minutes to take a 61-49 lead with 9:54 left in the game. During the run, the Vulcans made seven-of-eight shot attempts and sophomore forward Chris Williams (Philadelphia, Pa./Bishop McDevitt) scored all six of his points.

The Red Raiders responded with an 18-7 run over the next six-plus minutes to reclaim the lead at 68-67 with 3:07 remaining. Cal U scored the next two field-goals on jumpers by junior forward Mitchell Weedon (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) and senior guard Chad Tipton (Hanover, Pa./South Western) to take a 71-68 lead with 1:43 left in the game. Shippensburg countered with a traditional three-point play with 57 seconds left to tie the contest at 71-71. Swiech gave the Vulcans the last lead change of the game with a layup and 36 seconds remaining. Vann added a free-throw with eight seconds left to stretch the lead to three points, 74-71, before Shippensburg missed a three-pointer as time expired.

After shooting 63 percent in the second half, Cal U finished the game shooting 50.9 percent (29-of-57) from the field. The Vulcans maintained a 36-26 advantage on the glass with 14 offensive rebounds that resulted in 16 second-chance points.

Sophomore forward Dylan Edgar posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Shippensburg guards Reggie Charles and Craig Van Scyoc each finished with 11 points on Saturday.

The Vulcans continue PSAC Crossover play tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 20, when they travel to Cheyney for a 3 p.m. tip-off.