CLARION, Pa. (Jan. 30) — The Vulcans suffered a 68-64 loss to Clarion in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action to extend their losing steak to four games on Saturday night.

With the loss, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team falls to 7-15 on the year with a 4-12 mark in league play. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles improve to 11-11 overall behind an 8-8 record in conference action.

Senior forward Richard Smith (Cleveland, Ohio/Lutheran East) led the team with 15 points on six-of-nine shooting from the floor. He also led the team with nine rebounds (all defensive), while also posting two assists, one block and one steal in the loss. Smith has now scored at least 10 points in five-straight games.

Sophomore Luka Andjusic (Belgrade, Serbia/Borislav Petrov Braca) registered 12 points on four-of-eight shooting, including four-of-five from beyond the arc, and has now recorded at least four treys in four of the last five games. Classmate Cordell Smith (Cleveland, Ohio/Shaw) registered 12 points, three rebounds and three steals in 30 minutes off the bench, while fellow sophomore Daniel Sapp (Streetsboro, Ohio/Streetsboro) scored nine points in 19 minutes. 

Clarion scored 10 of the opening 14 points of the game to take an early 10-4 lead with 15:52 left in the first half. After the two teams traded scores for the next seven minutes, a layup from senior Josh Dombrosky (Shenandoah Heights, Pa./Shenandoah Valley) with 8:00 remaining, marked the first field goal from the Vulcans in over seven minutes. Cal U scored 14-consecutive points, including six points from Andjusic, to take its first lead of the game, 22-17, at the 4:42-mark. Following a pair of free-throws from Clarion, the Vulcans posted five-straight points before the Golden Eagles scored seven of the last nine points to trim the deficit to 29-26 at halftime.

The second half started with Clarion recording the initial six points to take a 32-29 lead with 17:48 remaining. After two three-pointers from Andjusic, Cal U regained the lead before the two teams traded scored for the next six minutes before a jumper from Richard Smith increased the lead to 47-42 at the 9:48-mark. The Golden Eagles made their next five shots to score 13 of the next 20 points and take a 55-54 lead with 5:44 remaining. The Vulcans went six-of-six from the charity stripe to again tie the score at 60-60 at the 2:18-mark. Despite two baskets from Cordell Smith within the last 11 seconds, Clarion held out for the 68-64 victory.

Cal U shot 45.1 percent (23-of-51) from the field after shooting a 50.0 clip in the second half. In comparison, the Golden Eagles shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the floor after being held to only nine field goals in the first half. Clarion held a slim 35-34 advantage in rebounds on Saturday night.

Sophomore Cameron Grumley led the Golden Eagles with 14 points, while junior BJ Andrews also totaled 14 points in the win. Senior Tim Gill led the team with nine rebounds (seven offensive).

The Vulcans return to action Wednesday, Feb. 3, as they host Pitt-Johnstown in the Convocation Center with tip at 7:30 p.m.