CALIFORNIA (Nov. 23) – Behind four players in double-figures on Saturday afternoon, the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball claimed a 73-70 victory over Lock Haven in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover action at the Convocation Center.
 
With the win, the Vulcans improve to 3-2 overall with a 1-0 mark in conference play. Cal U has now won 12-straight meetings against Lock Haven with the last three meetings decided by a combined 10 points. Meanwhile, the Bald Eagles suffer their first loss of the season and fall to 3-1 this year behind a 0-1 record in league action.
 
Sophomore Zyan Collins (South Riding, Va./Freedom) and freshman Babatunde Ajike (Cherry Hill, N.J./Camden Catholic) combined for 36 points in the win on Saturday. Collins scored a season-high 19 points after making a perfect seven-of-seven from the free-throw line and added 10 rebounds (four offensive), three assists, two blocks and two steals in 33 minutes. Ajike earned a consecutive start and scored 17 points while converting six-of-nine from the field, plus added six rebounds and two steals, in 30 minutes of action.
 
Junior Brent Pegram (Upper Marlboro, Md./Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr.) finished with 16 points with three treys and added eight assists and four steals in 35 minutes, while freshman Luke House (Norristown, Pa./Archbishop John Carroll) scored 13 points and totaled three rebounds and two steals in 40 minutes. Sophomore Philip Alexander (Laurel, Md./Mt. Zion Prep) collected nine rebounds in 27 minutes.
 
In the second half, the Bald Eagles went on an 11-6 run in the opening three-plus minutes to grab a 41-37 lead after converting four-of-four from the field, including three shots from long range. Cal U answered by converting five-of-seven attempts, led by Pegram with five points, to reclaim the lead at 48-46 at the 13:25-mark. The Vulcans sustained the offensive pressure with seven-straight points before both teams went scoreless over the next two minutes. Lock Haven would cut the deficit with six-unanswered points before Cal U went on a 10-2 run to take a 65-53 advantage with 4:44 left to play. The Vulcans continued to maintain the lead before an 11-2 run by the Bald Eagles closed the gap to 71-70 with 52 seconds left. Collins grabbed a critical offensive rebound with 24 seconds left and would make a pair of free-throws to take a 73-70 lead. Lock Haven missed two from beyond the arc to tie the contest, as the Cal U secured the 73-70 win.
 
The Vulcans established an early 8-2 lead in the initial four-plus minutes of the contest behind six points from Ajike. The Bald Eagles countered with back-to-back shots before Cal U used a 10-2 run to take an 18-8 advantage at the 9:48-mark. Lock Haven responded with a dunk before both teams went scoreless over a two-minute span. The Vulcans would stretch the lead to 24-13 with 5:48 remaining in the first half before the Bald Eagles scored seven-consecutive points to trim the deficit to 24-20. Cal U extended the lead to 31-24 after a three-pointer from House before Lock Haven closed the half with a 6-0 rally, as the Vulcans held a 31-30 lead at the break.
 
Cal U finished the game shooting 38.5 percent (25-of-65) from the floor while converting 17-of-24 (70.8 percent) from the charity stripe. Meanwhile, Lock Haven shot 43.1 percent (22-of-51) from the field and made 19-of-28 (67.9 percent) from the free-throw line. The Bald Eagles held a 41-38 edge in rebounds, while the Vulcans scored 32 points in the paint.
 
Senior Christian Kelly posted a double-double with 21 points, including 10-of-14 from the free-throw line, and 10 rebounds, plus four assists, in 40 minutes. Junior Matt Cerruti scored 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting and added six rebounds and three steals, while fellow juniors Jesse McPherson and Nasir Campbell totaled 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.
 
The Vulcans return to PSAC Crossover play tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 24, when they host Mansfield in the Convocation Center at 3 p.m.