Cal never loses its grip, moves into PSAC semifinals
CALIFORNIA – The number was so unusual that it looked like a typo on the statistic sheet at halftime of the PSAC men’s basketball tournament quarterfinal game.
California had zero turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
None. Zip. Zero.
No errant passes, no charging fouls, no stepping on the out-of-bounds line, no illegal screens, no shot clock violations.
The Vulcans played a crisp and efficient brand of basketball all night against Seton Hill, made 13 three-point shots and defeated the Griffins, 87-75, at the Convocation Center.
The win, which improved Cal’s record to 18-11, sends the Vulcans to the semifinals Saturday (3:30 p.m.) at Shepherd. The PSAC’s Final Four will be played at Shepherd, the highest-remaining seed in the East.
Cal’s efficient play shows how far the Vulcans have come this season after having their starting lineup wrecked by season-ending injuries that led to a seven-game losing streak. Three key players have been lost for the year but all those injuries moved guys who began the season as role players into frontline positions. One of those players is freshman Jordyn Buchanan, and he scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Seton Hill.
“Jordyn has been great this year,” Cal head coach Danny Sancomb said. “The second half of the season, he has gotten comfortable. He’s a great shooter and takes good shots. I’m proud of his development. He’s come a long way.”
Buchanan was shooting from long distance against Seton Hill (16-14), which upset Edinboro in the tournament’s first round. Buchanan made six of nine three-point shots against Seton Hill’s 2-3 matchup zone defense. The Vulcans were 13-for-27 from behind the arc.
“That was a hard-fought game,” Sancomb said. “I have a lot of respect for Seton Hill. They are one of several teams in our conference that does not beat itself. Their 2-3 zone is different but we moved the ball around, made the extra pass and got a lot of good shots.”
Cal made seven of its first 10 three-point shots and forged an early 28-14 lead. Seton Hill pulled to within 43-33 at halftime despite not being able to force Cal into a turnover.
With Cal’s students being on spring break, the crowd at the Convocation Center was small and those from Seton Hill were vocal, especially after the Griffins pulled to within 50-45 early in the second half.
Buchanan, however, delivered in the game’s key stretch. He made a three-pointer from the left corner that put Cal up 55-46. After a Seton Hill turnover, Buchanan made a three in transition from the left wing. Less than a minute later, the freshman made another three, giving the Vulcans a 61-46 lead and taking the steam out of Seton Hill with nine points in rapid-fire sequence.
“I like when Jordyn shoots,” Sancomb said. “He’s a confident player. Seton Hill had some of their football players here and they were making a lot of noise, but Jordyn kind of shut them up with those three quick threes. That was the key stretch.”
Buchanan has scored in double figures nine times in the last 11 games.
“I found my road in the second half of the season,” Buchanan said. “I’ve gotten comfortable.”
Cal finished with only four turnovers in the game – one with less than 40 seconds remaining – to go with 17 assists on 28 baskets. That shows how effectively Donald Whitehead ran the offense from his point guard position. Whitehead scored 17 points, had seven assists and no turnovers.
“I feel like he’s the best player in the conference,” Sancomb said of his point guard.
Dalman Alexander added 16 points and Kadyn Hannah gave Cal four players in double figures as he finished with 10.
Edir Ortiz led Seton Hill with 16 points. Gabe Gillespie scored 14, and Kedrick Curtis and Gage Lattimore each had 12.