SALEM, W.Va. (Dec. 19) – The Vulcans held off a late 13-2 run in the second half and featured four players scoring in double-figures on Tuesday night in a 95-88 victory at Salem to close out non-conference play.

With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team improves to 6-5 overall while snapping a three-game losing streak. Cal U has scored over 85 points in nine games this season and ranks second in the PSAC in scoring offense at 88.3 points per game. Meanwhile, the Tigers fall to 4-8 this year after being swept in the season series by the Vulcans. 

Senior Isaiah Lewis (Brooklyn, N.Y./Christ the King) finished the game with 24 points after shooting 7-of-13 from the floor, including five-of-eight from long range. He added eight assists and two rebounds in 37 minutes against the Tigers. Lewis has tallied five 20-point performances this season and four games with at least eight assists. 

Senior Terry Davis, Jr. (South Bend, Ind./John Adams) totaled 19 points on 8-of-16 attempts and collected six rebounds, four assists and two steals on Tuesday. Junior Jahmere Howze (Cleveland, Ohio/Warrensville Heights) tallied 15 points, converting 7-of-11 from the field, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while senior Robel Teckle (Washington, D.C./Friendship Collegiate Academy) posted a season-high 14 points on five-of-nine shooting and collected six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 37 minutes. 

Cal U opened the contest with back-to-back layups before a 9-4 run extended its lead to 13-4 in the early minutes of the first half. The Tigers closed the gap with a pair of dunks to trim the deficit to 16-10 with 15:49 left in the half. The Vulcans countered with a 9-0 rally led by Davis, who scored seven-straight points to take a 25-10 lead. Salem cut the deficit after shooting four-of-five from the field over the next two-plus minutes while Cal U made one field goal during that stretch. The Tigers trailed 35-26 with 8:32 left in the half before the teams traded the next five baskets. The Vulcans took a 47-36 lead into the break despite a short 4-0 run by the Tigers in the final minute.

The Vulcans extended their lead to 56-41 after shooting four-of-six from the field before both teams exchanged points over five-plus minutes. Cal U stretched the lead to as many as 18 points, 79-61, before Salem responded with an 11-4 run to trim the deficit to 83-72 at the 4:19-mark. The Tigers cut the deficit to one possession following a 13-2 rally after the Vulcans made one shot in a three-minute span. Cal U earned the win after going a perfect six-of-six from the free-throw line in the final minute. 

The Vulcans finished the game with a .466 field-goal percentage (34-of-73) and converted 14-of-17 (82.4 percent) from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, the Tigers shot 36-of-73 (49.3 percent) from the floor and made 33.3 percent (8-of-24) from three-point range. Salem held a sizeable 42-29 rebounding advantage and Cal U scored 24 points off 18 turnovers. 

Junior Malik Toppin posted his seventh double-double of the season with 35 points and 13 rebounds (six offensive). He shot 17-of-20 from the field and collected five assists while playing all 40 minutes. Sophomore Jarius Farrow tallied 21 points on 8-of-14 attempts and added seven rebounds, while junior Ferlandis Penny finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks. 

Cal U is idle for over a week before opening PSAC West action on Dec. 30 against Edinboro in Convocation Center at 3 p.m.