• Box Score
 
CLARION, Pa. (Feb. 15) – Senior forward Elena Antonenko (Moscow, Russia/State University of Physical Education) matched a career high with 20 points, as the California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team claimed a 66-53 win over Clarion Saturday evening in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action at Tippin Gymnasium.
 
The win improves the Vulcans to 10-4 in the PSAC West and 16-7 overall. Cal U also clinched at least the No. 3 seed and hosting rights for at least one game in the PSAC Tournament. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles fall to 10-13 overall and 4-9 in conference play.
 
Antonenko scored 20 points for the third time in her career while shooting 7-of-10 from the field. Senior Kate Seebohm (Millicent, Australia/Millicent) added season highs of 12 points and six rebounds, while junior Emma Mahady (Albury, Australia/Xavier) matched Seebohm with 12 points in the win.
 
Mahady led the game off with a three-pointer to give the Vulcans an early lead, but Cal U struggled from the field over the opening 10 minutes. Despite shooting 17 percent (4-of-23) from the field to open the game, the Vulcans only trailed 15-12 with 9:57 remaining in the first half. Cal U began to find its stroke in the final nine minutes of the half, making 50 percent of its shots and out-scoring Clarion 20-16 down the stretch to take a 32-31 lead into the break.
 
The Golden Eagles scored the opening basket of the second half to take the lead, but the Vulcans responded with a 9-3 run to take a 41-36 lead with 12:46 remaining in the contest. After Clarion scored consecutive lay-ups to pull within one point, the Vulcans pulled away with an 18-4 run, capped off by an Antonenko three-pointer, to take a 59-44 lead with 4:48 left in the game. Cal U converted five of its seven attempts from the field and made seven-of-eight attempts at the free-throw line during the run. The Vulcans did not allow Clarion to come within 12 points in the final four minutes and closed out the victory.
 
Cal U shot 36 percent for the game (22-of-61) compared to the 37 percent (24-of-64) posted by Clarion, but the Vulcans converted 46 percent of their shots in the second half (11-of-24). Cal U also performed well at the charity stripe, converting 18-of-23 free-throw attempts, while Clarion finished three-for-six at the line.
 
The Vulcans held a significant edge in bench points, out-scoring the Eagles 39-15 in the category, and held advantages in rebounds (44-40) and turnovers forced (23-18).
 
Cal U will play its final home game of the regular season when it hosts Pitt-Johnstown on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The Vulcans will honor their four seniors prior to the opening tip at 5:30 p.m.