ETTRICK, Va. (Nov. 11) – In the initial game under first-year head coach Kent McBride, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team suffered an 78-53 loss at Virginia State on Friday night in the opending day of the Virginia State Tip-Off Classic.

With the loss, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball opens the year at 0-1. Meanwhile, the Trojans begin the season at 1-0 after playing three exhibitions against NCAA Division I programs, highlighted by a game against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Freshman Ramon Creighton (Pittsburgh, Pa./Taylor Allderdice) tallied a team-high 18 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including three-of-eigh from beyond the arc. He also added five rebounds in 24 minutes while making his collegiate debut.

Junior Daniel Sapp (Streetsboro, Ohio/Streetsboro) posted 10 points on four-of-eight attempts from the field and registered a team-high seven rebounds off the bench. Sophomore Rashawn Browne (Toronto,Ontario/Bill Crothers) and junior Mike Stevenson (Houston, Texas/Cypress Ranch) each finished with seven points in their first starts with the program. Junior forward Tony Richardson (Sterling, Va./Dominion) totaled six rebounds off the bench.

Cal U shot 33.3 percent (19-of-57) from the field and posted a 35.0 clip (7-of-20) from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Virginia State made 48.3 percent (29-of-60) from the field and 66.7 percent (14-of-21) from the free-throw line. The Trojans held a 44-35 rebounding advantage and scored 42 points from inside the paint.

Juniors Richard Granberry and Brice Rowe both scored 11 points for the Trojans, while junior Waymond Wright collected a game-high eight assists.

The Vulcans return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 12, when they face St. Augustine's (N.C.) at 6 p.m.

Note: A full box score of the game was unavailable on Friday night