CALIFORNIA (Nov.17) – Behind five double-digit point performances, the California (PA) men's basketball team claimed a 102-64 victory against West Virginia Wesleyan in non-conference action on Thursday night at the Convocation Center.
With the win, the Vulcans improve to 2-2 overall before beginning a four-game road trip. Cal eclipsed the century mark for the first time since Nov. 16, 2021 when it totaled 104 points against Franklin Pierce. Meanwhile, the Bobcats fall to 0-3 to start the season.
Sophomore
Cam Polak (West Homestead, Pa./Steel Valley) led the team with a season-high 22 points after going 7-of-10 from the field, including four-of-six from long range. Redshirt junior
Jermaine Hall, Jr. (Baltimore, Md./Severn School) registered 19 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals. Freshman
KJ McClurg (Morgantown, W.Va./University) tallied 19 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore
Keith Palek III (Woodbine, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) notched 12 points, tied for the team lead with eight rebounds and led the team with five assists. Sophomore transfer
Kadyn Hannah (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) posted 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals off the bench.
Cal rolled to the early 5-0 advantage before the Bobcats answered with an 8-3 run to tie the game at 8-8. Over the next minute and a half, the Vulcans recaptured the lead with a 9-2 run that was ignited by a pair of free-throws from Palek and finished with free-throws by McClurg. Both teams continued to go back-and-forth, as Cal held a 22-18 advantage with 10:14 remaining in the half. The Vulcans extended their advantage to double-figures after conducting a 9-0 run with less than nine minutes left in the half. Cal continued to roll as it orchestrated a 19-8 run to grasp a 22-point edge with 3:04 to play in the first. The Vulcans limited WVWC to five points in the remaining three minutes of the half to hold a commanding 59-33 at the break.
Cal mounted the momentum as it scored 13-straight points to open the second half and stretch its lead to 72-33. In the next three minutes, the Vulcans went on a 10-5 run to extend the lead to 82-38 with less than 12 minutes remaining in the game. The Bobcats were able to score five-consecutive points to gather momentum. Both teams traded the following 12 points as the Vulcans remained in the lead by a 90-49 margin. WVWC trimmed the deficit to 94-57 following an 8-4 run with 5:18 to play. Cal answered with an 8-4 run of its own to take a 102-61 advantage with 2:16 remaining in the game.
The Vulcans finished with a .600 field-goal percentage (36-of-60) while hitting .545 percent (12-of-22) from behind the arc. Meanwhile, the Bobcats shot at a .362 clip (25-of-69) and made .348 percent (8-of-23) from long range.
Cal is back in action on Monday, Nov. 21, as it travels to face Franklin Pierce in Rindge, New Hampshire, at 12 p.m.
