CALIFORNIA (Feb. 25) – Led by a pair of 20-point scorers, the California (PA) women's basketball team posted a 74-69 win over No. 5 IUP on Wednesday evening at the Convocation Center in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West action.
NOTES
• The Vulcans (12-17, 8-11) have won 13-consecutive home meetings against the Crimson Hawks dating back to the 2012-13 campaign.
• Cal also secured the fifth seed from the Western Division in next week's PSAC Tournament and will travel to face the division's fourth-seeded team – still to be determined – on Monday, March 2.
• The Vulcans recorded their second win this year over a nationally-ranked opponent and earned their first victory over a top-five program since the 2019-20 season (No. 4 IUP).
• Sophomore
Hope Hawkins scored a career-high 23 points on 11-of-19 shooting.
• She also tallied 12 rebounds (five offensive) for her third double-double of the season.
• Junior
Kennedy Bankett finished with 22 points on 8-of-14 from the floor and three steals.
• Classmate
Kimaya Williams collected 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
• Fellow junior
Jalasia Hull posted 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in 28 minutes off the bench.
• IUP posted a 12-4 run over four minutes in the first quarter and later held a 16-12 lead at the end of the quarter.
• The Crimson Hawks extended the lead to double-digits with 3:17 left in the second quarter before the Vulcans countered with a 14-2 rally before taking a 35-33 lead at halftime.
• Cal mounted an 18-2 run in the third quarter to claim a 53-37 lead at the 2:59-mark and held a 55-47 lead entering the fourth quarter.
• IUP posted a 15-3 rally over two minutes in the fourth quarter to take a 62-61 lead with 5:08 remaining.
• The Vulcans later made a layup to take a 68-65 lead with 1:27 left and scored six points over the final 40 seconds to seal the victory.
• Cal finished the game shooting 48.4 percent (30-of-62) from the floor after converting at least a .500 clip in each of the final three quarters.
• The Vulcans and Crimson Hawks both registered 34 rebounds.
NEXT
• Cal closes out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28, when it hosts Slippery Rock at the Convocation Center with tip-off at 1 p.m.
• The Vulcans will travel to face either Seton Hill or Edinboro in the opening round of the PSAC Tournament, as both teams enter the weekend tied for third place.
