Observer-Reporter

Ron Banks scored 22 points to lead California University to a 73-63 win over host Clarion Saturday night at Tippin Gymnasium.

The win keeps California (7-0, 16-4) in sole possession of first place in the PSAC's West Division. The Vulcans lead second-place Edinboro by one game at the halfway point in the conference schedule.

Clarion (3-4, 11-10) held a 30-28 edge at halftime but California used a 7-0 run midway through the second half to take a 45-37 lead. Clarion never got closer than four points the rest of the way.

Guard Jesse Brooks made a clutch three-pointer with the shot clock running down to push the Vulcans' advantage to seven points with less than two minutes remaining.

Ali Mybae scored 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Cal. Julian Logan scored 11 points and Theron Colao 10.

Waynesburg 83, Westminster 77: Behind a game-high 29 points from senior guard Tim Drakeley and sharp second-half shooting the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets claimed an 83-77 victory over Westminster in Presidents' Athletic Conference action at the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse.

The win moves to the Yellow Jackets to 8-13 overall and to 2-8 in the PAC, while snapping a four-game losing streak. Westminster lost its seventh in the last 10 games and fell to 5-17 overall and 3-7 in the conference.

Drakeley shot 10 of 21 from the floor, including 6 of 10 from beyond the three-point line, grabbed six rebounds and handed out five assists. Joining Drakeley in double-figure scoring for Waynesburg were senior forward Josh Parisi and senior guard Jered Gamble with 20 and 10 points, respectively. Parisi also had eight rebounds and Gamble had six assists.

Waynesburg shot 65 percent from the field in the second half.

The Yellow Jackets forced 16 turnovers and converted the turnovers into 23 points. Despite being outrebounded by Westminster, 45-37, Waynesburg held a decisive advantage in points in the paint, scoring 46 of its 83 points from there

Wash & Jeff 54, Thiel 49: Juniors Josip Lucic-Jozak and Wahab Owolabi combined for 32 points and 21 rebounds as Washington & Jefferson held off Thiel, 54-49, in PAC men's basketball action at Beeghly Gymnasium.

Owolabi finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Lucic-Jozak added 15 points and 11 boards.

The Tomcats (9-11, 4-6 PAC) held the lead throughout most of the first half and used a late 6-0 run to take a 28-21 advantage into halftime.

W&J (9-12, 5-4 PAC) trailed 34-27 with 14 minutes left, but Owolabi and Lucic-Jozak scored all 11 points during an 11-3 run which put the Presidents in front, 38-37, with 8:25 remaining.

The lead changed hands four times over the next three minutes, but W&J took the lead for good on junior guard Derek Syrylo's layup at the 5:52 mark.

The Presidents went on to score 12 of the next 13 points to establish a 52-42 lead with 1:25 left.

Devon Adams led the Tomcats with 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Thiel shot 41 percent (20 of 49) and committed 19 turnovers.

Women's result

Clarion 72, California 71: My'Kea Cohill made a jump shot with 26 seconds remaining to give Clarion a 72-71 victory over visiting California in a PSAC West Division game.

It was the third straight loss for California (4-3, 17-5).

Cohill, who scored 13 points, helped Clarion (5-2, 15-6) rally from a 12-point deficit in the final five minutes. The Golden eagles outscored the Vulcans 20-7 down the stretch.

Crystal Andrews scored a game-high 19 points for California. Andrews missed a 17-foot shot from the baseline as time expired.

Clarion was led by Janelle Zebresky, who scored 18 points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds. The Golden eagles overcame 24 turnovers

Kayla Smith scored 18 points and Brooque had 12 for California.

Wash & Jeff 87, Thiel 66: Washington & Jefferson used a 56-29 rebounding edge and shot 54 percent during its 87-66 victory over Thiel in PAC women's basketball action at Beeghly Gymnasium.

The Presidents (16-5, 9-2 PAC) made 34 of 63 field goal attempts and had 13 different players score during the lopsided win.

The outcome was never in doubt after Washington & Jefferson raced out to a 20-3 lead in the first 4:39. Sophomore forward Maggie Gibson bucketed five points during the early spurt, while sophomore guard Stephanie Smith added a pair of jumpers.

The Tomcats (7-13, 4-8 PAC) were able to narrow the gap to 38-28 with five minutes left in the half, but the Presidents answered with 16 of the final 23 points to grab a 54-35 halftime lead.

W&J put the game away with 10 of the first 13 points in the second half, stretching its advantage to 64-38 at the 15:45 mark.

Gibson finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds to notch her 11th double-double of the season. Smith and senior forward Maria Hillenbrand both added 13 points. W&J has 22 assists on 34 baskets, but committed 23 turnovers.

Jasmin Jones led Thiel with a game-high 16 points. The Tomcats were limited to 30 percent shooting (20-of-66). Thiel made 11-of-33 three-pointers.

Westminster 49, Waynesburg 26: Emily Ackerman scored 23 points to lead Westminster to a 49-26 victory over Waynesburg in a PAC game.

Teresa Marszalek scored six points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Titans (5-6, 12-9).

Waynesburg had three players - Elisha Jones, Michaelena Jones and Celina Gomez - score six points apiece. The Yellow Jackets (0-11, 1-20) had 25 turnovers.

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