CALIFORNIA (Jan. 9) – The Vulcans snapped a nearly a year long losing streak against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) opponents on Monday night with a 74-66 win over Slippery Rock at the Convocation Center in PSAC West action.
With the victory, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team improves to 4-11 overall with a 1-8 mark in league play. The Vulcans last posted a victory against a conference opponent on Jan. 13, 2016, a streak which spanned 19 games. Meanwhile, The Rock falls to 9-6 this season behind a 5-4 record in conference action.
Junior
Luka Andjusic (Belgrade, Serbia/Borislav Petrov Braca) scored a season-high 23 points after shooting 7-of-14 from the floor, including five-of-seven from three-point territory. He also collected a career-high nine rebounds while playing 29 minutes off the bench on Monday. Andjusic leads the team this season with 30 three-pointers made while shooting 38.5 percent (30-of-78) from beyond the arc.
Sophomore
Rashawn Browne (Toronto, Ontario/Bill Crothers) finished with 14 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals in the victory. Junior
Robel Teckle (Washington, D.C./Friendship Collegiate Academy) posted 11 points and three assists, while classmate
Cordell Smith (Cleveland, Ohio/Shaw) added 10 points, three rebounds and four assists against The Rock.
Slippery Rock held a 50-42 lead with 12:22 left in the second half before Cal U answered with seven-straight points to cut the deficit to 50-49 on a three-pointer by Andjusic with 9:03 remaining. The Rock countered with five-straight points before the Vulcans countered with eight-consecutive points to reclaim the lead at 57-55 on another trey by Andjusic at the 5:31-mark. Slippery Rock then tied the score before Cal U took the final lead change of the game on a three-pointer by Smith with 3:03 left to play. The Vulcans later sealed the victory by rallying off eight-straight points to take a 72-60 with 1:18 remaining.
The Vulcans shot 41.9 percent (26-of-62) from the floor after converting 45.5 percent (10-of-22) from three-point territory. Meanwhile, The Rock posted a .436 field-goal percentage (24-of-55) after going just 24.0 percent (6-of-25) from long range. Cal U held a slim 37-36 rebounding advantage and committed just six turnovers in the victory.
Senior guard Naquil Jones led all players with 28 points after shooting 11-of-21 from the floor. He also posted eight rebounds and four assists in the losing effort. Junior Christal Malalu totaled 10 points and three rebounds in just 15 minutes off the bench.
Cal U returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 11, when it travels to face Pitt-Johnstown at 7:30 p.m.
