• Box Score

CALIFORNIA (Feb. 14) – Despite four players scoring in double-figures, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team suffered an 81-74 non-conference loss to Salem International on Monday night at Hamer Hall.

With their fourth-straight loss, the Vulcans drop to 11-11 overall this season. Meanwhile, the Tigers improve to 9-10 this year after entering the game losing six of their last seven games. Cal U entered the game having won the last six meetings against SIU with its last loss coming in the 2003 NCAA Tournament.

Junior Chad Tipton (Hanover, Pa./South Western) scored 12 of his team-high 17 points in the second half after making 6-of-10 from the field, including three-of-seven from beyond the arc. The 6-5 swingman has scored a combined 39 points in the two games against the Tigers this season.

Sophomore guard Ryne Niemiec (Brownsville, Pa./Beth-Center) and junior forward Steve Swiech (Greenock, Pa./Elizabeth-Forward) both posted 12 points, while junior CJ Townes (Joppatowne, Md./Joppatowne) also added a season-high 12 points off the bench.

The Vulcans opened the game with a quick 11-0 run after forcing the Tigers into six early turnovers. Cal U later expanded its lead to 15 points, 22-7, on a lay-up by Tipton at the 7:38-mark before Salem International answered with six-straight points to cut the deficit to nine points, 22-13, with 5:38 left in the half. The Vulcans responded with a six-point run of their own, as a jumper by Townes stretched the lead to 30-15 at the 1:12-mark. Cal U took a 30-19 lead into the break after scoring 12 points off 14 SIU turnovers.

In the second half, the Tigers showcased a tremendous touch from beyond the arc, making 8-of-11 treys (72.7 percent). After trailing by double-digits for the opening minutes of the second half, Salem International made it an eight-point deficit, 41-33, on a three-pointer by sophomore Kenneth McCornell with 15:43 left in the game.

Following a trey by Tipton at the 11:21-mark, SIU mounted a 16-8 run over nearly four minutes that was capped by a trey from senior Demetric Walker. The Tigers tied the game for the first time on their next possession by converting a traditional three-point play, 65-65, with 6:59 remaining. Cal U quickly reclaimed the lead before Salem International seized control of the game with a 10-0 rally over a four-minute span to take a 76-69 lead with 1:38 left in the game.

Cal U shot nearly 50 percent in the second half to finish the game making 42.6 percent (29-of-68) of its attempts. The Vulcans struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 23.5 percent (4-of-17), a stark contrast to the Tigers' 53.3 percent (8-of-15).

The Vulcans held a slim 43-42 advantage in rebounds and out-scored the Tigers by a 42-36 margin from inside the paint. Cal U registered 19 assists on 29 field-goals with junior guard Freddy Appiah (Toronto, Ontario/Ascension of Our Lord) tying his season-high of seven assists.

Senior Ricardo Lovelace led SIU with game-high totals of 19 points (17 second half) and 11 rebounds, while Walker tallied 15 points after hitting three treys.

The Vulcans continue their homestand on Wednesday, Feb. 16, when they host Slippery Rock in Hamer Hall at 8 p.m. Live stats of the game will be available by clicking here.