CALIFORNIA (Jan. 8) – Junior
Abbey Sporio (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) and sophomore
Gina Vallecorsa (Pittsburgh, Pa./Bishop Canevin) both scored a career-high 17 points at the Convocation Center on Monday evening, as the No. 10 California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team cruised to a 79-46 victory against Lock Haven in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play.
With the win, the Vulcans improve to 14-1 overall behind a 9-0 mark in league action. Cal U also extends its winning streak to nine games and remains one of two teams in the conference to remain undefeated in league play. Meanwhile, the Bald Eagles fall to 2-11 this season with a 1-8 record in PSAC action.
Vallecorsa finished with 17 points while playing all 40 minutes in her second career start. She made 6-of-14 from the floor, including 4-of-12 from beyond the arc, and added five rebounds in the victory. Sporio scored 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting and also collected seven rebounds (four offensive), two assists and five steals in just 28 minutes.
Senior
Shatara Parsons (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds (four offensive), plus five blocks and four steals, in limited minutes. Junior
Mia Cushon (Raytown, Mo./Raytown South) added 10 points and three rebounds on Monday night.
Cal U quickly seized control of the contest by scoring 12-straight points in the first quarter to take a 17-5 lead on a three-pointer by Vallecorsa at the 2:35-mark. The Bald Eagles snapped a five-plus minute scoreless span on the ensuing possession before the Vulcans answered with a 13-3 run to stretch the lead to 30-10 with 6:43 left in the second quarter. Lock Haven responded with a 12-5 rally to stretch the deficit to 35-22 before Cal U added a halftime buzzer beater to take a 37-22 lead at the break.
The Vulcans scored the opening eight points of the third quarter to take a 43-22 lead at the 7:43-mark. The teams played evenly throughout the remainder of the quarter before Cal U rallied off 14-unanswered points to take a 70-35 lead on a layup by Sporio with 6:47 left to play.
Cal U finished the game shooting 43.8 percent (28-of-64) from the floor while setting season highs with 10 three-pointers made and 23 three-point attempts – both the most since Feb. 6, 2016. In comparison, Lock Haven made 39.6 percent (19-of-48) from the field and were just 4-of-14 (28.6 percent) from the free-throw line. The Vulcans held a 42-34 rebounding advantage with 15 offensive rebounds that led to 17 second-chance points. Cal U also scored 29 points off turnovers after forcing 26 turnovers.
Freshman Ahnera Parker scored a game-high 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting in the loss and was the only player for the Bald Eagles to score over five points.
The Vulcans return to PSAC West play on Wednesday, Jan. 10, when they host Pitt-Johnstown at 5:30 p.m.
