California (Pa.), IUP Advance to PSAC Womens Basketball Tournament Championship Game
California (Pa.) 67, Millersville 57
West Chester, Pa. – Brooque Williams scored a game-high 21 points to lead California (Pa.) University to a 67-57 win over Millersville in semifinal action of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship.
Trailing by two at the half, California’s 13-6 run in the first four minutes out of the locker room gave it a five-point lead. Another surge over the next nine minutes gave the Vulcans a 57-43 advantage, their largest lead of the evening.
Millersville battled back over the next five minutes, going on a 10-3 run to cut California’s edge down to 60-53 win 4:47 showing on the clock. The Marauders, however, never seriously threatened and California advanced to the PSAC Championship game for the ninth time in as many seasons.
California also received a fine performance from Kayla Smith, who pumped in 16 points and led all players with 13 rebounds. Williams added 11 rebounds for the Vulcans, giving her a double-double as well, and Amber Dubyak completed California’s double-digit scorers with 13.
Millersville had three players in double figures, spearheaded by Aiesha Bellany, who registered 16 points. Ashley Moyer and Gladine St. Julien each tallied 11 markers.
California held a decisive 43-32 advantage on the boards. The Vulcans grabbed 17 offensive rebounds, including 10 in the second half. California also hit on 14 of 20 attempts from the free throw line while Millersville was limited to a 4 for 13 showing from the stripe.
California will play the winner of the West Chester – Indiana (Pa.) contest tomorrow at 7 p.m.
IUP 79, West Chester 65
West Chester, Pa. - Indiana (Pa.) will play for its third consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship following a 79-65 victory over host West Chester in a semifinal contest Friday night at Hollinger Field House.
The Crimson Hawks (24-5) will take on California in Saturday’s 7 p.m. title game. The Vulcans (26-3) advanced to the final with a 67-57 win over Millersville in the first semifinal contest. IUP has won eight straight PSAC tournament games over the past three years.
Jahzinga Tracey and Eryn Withers both scored 17 points to lead four IUP players in double figures in the win over the Golden Rams. Kylie Miller hit three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points while Staci Heberling added 12 and tied Tracey for the team lead in rebounds with seven.
Kierstin Filla and Lacey Claar both distributed five assists. The Crimson Hawks shot 53.7 percent from the field and held a 34-25 advantage on the boards.
Dana Weems led West Chester with 19 points, followed by Janelle Garber (14) and Megan Stewart (12). Unranked in the latest NCAA Atlantic Region poll, West Chester likely concludes its season with a 20-9 record.