• Box Score

KUTZTOWN, Pa. (Jan. 4) – Junior Ryah Gadson (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) and senior Stephanie Michael (Morgantown, W.Va./Morgantown) combined for 34 points on Friday evening, as the California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team posted a 69-65 win at Kutztown in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover action.

With the victory, the Vulcans improve to 8-2 overall with a 4-2 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Golden Bears fall to 5-5 this season behind a 3-3 record in conference action.

Gadson scored a career-high 18 points after shooting three-of-nine from the field and making 12-of-13 attempts from the free-throw line. She also collected seven rebounds while playing a team-high 32 minutes off the bench. The McKeesport native made the most free-throws in a game since All-American forward Kayla Smith, who is currently an assistant coach with Kutztown, converted 17 free-throws in February 2011. Gadson previously set a career high in points on Dec. 30 and has combined for 51 points off the bench in the last four games.

Michael finished with 16 points against the Golden Bears, making 3-of-10 from the floor and 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Chelsea McKnight (Grove City, Ohio/Harvest Prep) added seven points and four steals, while junior Elena Antonenko (Moscow, Russia/State University of Physical Education) posted a team-high 11 rebounds (six offensive) while playing a season-high 28 minutes off the bench.

Cal U took a 34-31 lead at halftime after the teams combined for eight lead changes in the first half. In the opening two-plus minutes of the second half, the Vulcans stretched the lead to 43-36 on a three-pointer by Michael. Kutztown answered with six-straight points, 43-42, before taking a 48-47 lead with 12:18 remaining.

The Vulcans reclaimed the lead on free-throws and stretched their lead to 55-50 on a layup by sophomore Emma Mahady (Albury, Australia/Xavier) with 8:17 left to play. The Golden Bears responded with six-unanswered points to take a 56-55 lead with 5:55 remaining. Cal U later countered with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead at 64-58 on a jumper by Antonenko with 2:46 left in the game. Kutztown then scored five-straight points before junior Kate Seebohm (Millicent, Australia/Millicent) made a jumper at the 1:04-mark to give Cal U a 66-63 lead. After a basket by the Golden Bears, the Vulcans sealed the win by making three-of-four free-throws in the final 30 seconds.

Cal U finished the game shooting 31.6 percent (18-of-57) from the floor, including a season-low 16.7 percent (3-of-18) from beyond the arc. However, the Vulcans made a season-high 30 free-throws and converted 78.9 percent (30-of-38) from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, Kutztown made 35.8 percent (19-of-53) from the field and 76.5 percent (26-of-34) from the free-throw line. The Vulcans were out-rebounded by a 44-37 margin and scored 19 points off turnovers in the win.

Kutztown sophomore Advia Campbell recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds on Friday. Senior guard Ashley added 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the loss.

The Vulcans continue their weekend road trip tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 5, when they face East Stroudsburg at 5:30 p.m.