Cal women run past Mercyhurst
The 18th-ranked California University women’s basketball team used a balanced scoring effort on Wednesday evening to earn a 76-56 win at Mercyhurst in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West game.
The Vulcans improved to 21-3 overall and 15-3 in the conference with three games left in the regular season. Cal was slotted fourth in the initial NCAA Atlantic Region rankings, which were released prior to the game. The Lakers fell to 9-16 this season and 6-12 in the conference.
Redshirt seniorSeairra Barrettand seniorAbbey Sporio tied for the team lead with 15 points, as seven different players finished with at least seven points. Sporio shot 7-of-13 from the floor and collected six rebounds, two assists and five steals. Barrett made 6 of 12 shots from the field and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. She also had eight rebounds.
SophomoreBianca Jasper scored 13 points and added six rebounds and four assists. Junior Gina Vallecorsa finished with seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, and three other players scored eight points.
Cal scored 15 unanswered points, including a combined 10 by Jasper and Vallecorsa, midway through the first quarter to take a 17-4 lead at the 3:26-mark. The Lakers snapped a five-plus minute scoreless drought with 3:04 left before the Vulcans took a 26-11 lead at the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, Cal mounted a 14-3 run to stretch the lead to 46-18 with 3:34 left before the break. The Vulcans took a 51-24 lead at halftime.
Mercyhurst junior Nicolete Newman led the team with 13 points. Kori Sidwell finished with nine points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Men’s result
Mercyhurst 89, California 61: Five players reached double figures as Mercyhurst pounded California, 89-61, in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West game.
The Vulcans fell to 7-16 overall and 5-12 in the conference. The Lakers moved to 17-5 this season and 12-5 in the conference.
Derrick Ellis and Trystan Patapas each scored 16 points, Jason Massey added 13 point, Mayka McIntosh chipped in 12, and Nick Lang added 11. Brent Pegram paced Cal with 19 points and Zyan Collins contributed 18 points.