WHEELING, W.Va. (Nov. 14) – The Vulcans earned a 63-62 victory over Wheeling on Friday afternoon during the opening day of the MEC/PSAC Conference Challenge after the Cardinals missed a game-tying free-throw with 1.3 seconds remaining.
NOTES
• California (1-3) played its initial game of the season against a fellow Atlantic Region member.
• Junior transfer
Kennedy Bankett led the team with a season-high 22 points on 9-of-14 points.
• She also added five rebounds (all offensive) while playing 37 minutes.
• Sophomore
Hope Hawkins recorded her first career double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds (five offensive) in 34 minutes – all career highs.
• Senior
Alicia Young posted 14 points and six rebounds, while junior
Kimaya Williams finished with eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
• Wheeling held a 22-17 lead at the end of the first quarter behind an 11-2 run over the final 3:45.
• The Cardinals extended the advantage to seven points twice in the second quarter before taking a 32-29 lead into halftime.
• The teams combined for four lead changes in the third quarter with Wheeling holding a 46-44 edge entering the fourth quarter.
• Cal took a 61-58 lead with 2:41 left to play on a three-pointer by Bankett before Wheeling tied the score on the next possession.
• Williams made a layup at the 1:23-mark to give the Vulcans a 63-61 lead before the Cardinals missed their next two shot attempts.
• Cal was whistled for a foul with 1.3 seconds remaining and Wheeling converted just one of two free-throws before Hawkins secured the rebound to seal the win.
• The Vulcans shot 41.9 percent (26-of-62) from the field and went 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) from the free-throw line.
• Cal held a 39-31 rebounding advantage behind 17 offensive rebounds and scored 50 points in the paint.
NEXT
• The Vulcans return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15, when they face West Liberty in the MEC/PSAC Conference Challenge with tip-off set for 6 p.m.
• The Hilltoppers opened their season with an 88-72 victory over Edinboro on Friday.
