Nov 8, 2024 4 min read

By The Observer-Reporter

Cam Polak, Keith Palek and Donald Whitehead combined for 74 points as California outlasted host Charleston (W.Va.) 112-103 in double overtime Friday night in the opening round of the Golden Eagles’ tipoff event.

The game was a rematch from the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament a year ago, won by Charleston on a buzzer-beater.

This time, Charleston scored the game’s first 10 points, which had Cal playing catchup for much of the first half. The Vulcans trailed 41-40 at halftime and the game remained tight the rest of the way. Charleston forced overtime at 81-81 when the Golden Eagles’ C.J. Meredith made three free throws with one second remaining in regulation.

The first overtime ended tied at 94-94. Cal took control in the second extra session as Polak, who finished with 27 points, made a free throw that gave the Vulcans the lead for good at 98-97. It was part of a pivotal 10-0 run by the Vulcans.

Palek also scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Whitehead had 20 points and nine assists. Bryson Lucas finished with 16 points and Jordyn Buchanan tossed in 14.

Meredith and Dwaine Jones each scored 26 points to pace Charleston.

Wash & Jeff 56, Clarkson 49

Matthew Carte and Noah Plotner led a balanced attack with 12 points each and Washington & Jefferson advanced to the championship game of the Oberlin tournament by defeating Clarkson, 56-49.

The Presidents never trailed in the game and led 32-22 at halftime after Plotner scored 10 of his points in the opening 20 minutes. W&J led by as many as 13 points in the first half.

Alex Acosta scored 10 points for W&J.

Women’s results

California 95, West Liberty 74

Alicia Young led five California players in double figures with 22 points and the Vulcans won their season opener 95-74 over West Liberty in the MEC/PSAC Challenge at Edinboro.

Young, a former standout at Sto-Rox High School, scored 15 of her points in the first half, when the Vulcans forged a 49-39 lead. Cal shot 59 percent from the field in the first half.

Allycia Harris and Iyahnna Williams each contributed 15 points. Kris Shaw scored 10 of her 14 points in the first half, and Sierra Bermudez and Talia Gilliard chipped in with 11 apiece.

Cal withstood a game-high 33 points by West Liberty’s Jenna Riccardo, who made 11 of her first 12 shots. The Hilltoppers led 34-33 midway through the second quarter, but Cal ended the half on a 16-5 run to take a 10-point lead.

Karli Anker scored 19 points for the Hilltoppers, who committed 28 turnovers.

Washington & Jefferson 72, Baldwin Wallace 67

Washington & Jefferson wasn’t intimidated by Baldwin Wallace’s nationally ranking in earning a 72-67 victory in the Hampton Inn by Hilton Women’s Basketball Tipoff tournament at Salvitti Family Gymnasium.

The Presidents took a 57-51 lead into the fourth quarter, but Baldwin Wallace battled back to cut the deficit to 67-65 late in the fourth quarter before Stellanie Loutsion converted on layups on two straight offensive possessions and Adalynn Cherry made 1 of 2 at the foul line to close the game out for W&J.

The Presidents had a 23-17 lead after the first quarter, but Baldwin Wallace cut the deficit to 38-37 at halftime after outscoring the host team, 20-15, in the second period.

Loutsion led the game in scoring with 19 points on six field goals (1 three-pointer) and was 6 of 7 at the foul line.

Teammate Bryn Bezjak scored 18 points on seven field goals, including two 3-pointers, and was 2 of 3 at the line. Jaden Wan dropped 11 points for W&J.

Caely Ressler led Baldwin Wallace in scoring with 15 points. Teammates Bella Vaillant (12) and Alyssa Miller (11) were also in double figures.

Waynesburg 96, Pitt-Greensburg 64

Kara McFadden led six Waynesburg players in double figures with 19 points and the yellow jackets rolled to a 96-64 win over visiting Pitt-Greensburg in the season opener for both teams.

McFadden scored 17 of her points in the first half, which ended with Waynesburg leading 46-26. UPG shot only 18 percent in the first half and 27 percent for the game.

Tori Wesolowski, Mia Henkins and Kalista Friday each contributed 11 points. Jules Morbacher had 10 points and 16 rebounds, and Clara Paige Miller tossed in 10 points.

Sarah Penrod had a game-high 20 poi9nts for UPG.