CALIFORNIA (Jan. 3) – The Vulcans claimed a one-point lead with less than 90 seconds remaining on Saturday afternoon before suffering a 70-66 loss against defending-league champion Kutztown at the Convocation Center in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Crossover play.
NOTES
• California (8-8, 4-2) has lost three of the last four meetings in the series with Kutztown, dating back to the semifinals of the 2019 PSAC Tournament.
• Junior
Kennedy Bankett scored a game-high 19 points on 6-of-12 from the floor and seven-of-eight from the free-throw line.
• She also collected four rebounds (three offensive) and four steals while playing 39 minutes.
• Junior
Kimaya Williams posted eight points, seven rebounds (three offensive), three assists, one block and two steals against the Golden Bears.
• Senior
Alicia Young finished with 14 points, three steals and three rebounds, while sophomore
Trinity Balog totaled nine points and four assists.
• Kutztown held a 14-8 lead at the 3:01-mark in the first quarter before Cal scored the final eight points to take a 16-14 lead.
• The Golden Bears mounted a 15-4 run in the second quarter and later took a 35-30 lead at the break.
• Kutztown held the lead for the majority of the third quarter before posting a 54-52 advantage at the end of the quarter.
• The Golden Bears stretched the lead to seven points three times in the fourth quarter before the Vulcans mounted a 10-2 run to claim a 66-65 lead with 1:21 remaining.
• Kutztown made a jumper on the next possession before making three-of-four free-throws to seal the victory.
• Cal finished the game shooting 41.7 percent (25-of-60) from the floor and converted 73.3 percent (11-of-15) from the free-throw line.
• The Golden Bears held a 33-25 rebounding advantage, while the Vulcans forced 24 turnovers.
NEXT
• The Vulcans open PSAC West action on Wednesday, Jan. 7, when they host Seton Hill at 5:30 p.m.
• The Griffins are one of four teams in the 17-member league with an unbeaten mark in conference play this season – all four from the Western Division.
• Seton Hill earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament last year for the first time in 15 years.