PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP: CALIFORNIA TOPS WEST CHESTER 86-70
Courtesy of California Sports Information
Boxscore
Complete California Story
West Chester Story
Bloomsburg, Pa. – The Vulcans captured the PSAC Women's Basketball Championship with an 86-70 victory against West Chester in the finals of the league tournament on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, the California University of Pennsylvania women's basketball team improves to 26-4 overall and earned the league's automatic qualifier for the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The Vulcans captured their fifth league championship, and first since 2006, while making its first appearance in the PSAC Championship since 2011. Cal U will learn its seed later tonight when the NCAA releases the field for the NCAA Tournament via a webstream at 10 p.m. EST.
Sophomore guard
Miki Glenn scored a career-high 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting and made 16-of-17 attempts (both career highs) from the free-throw line. She also totaled four rebounds, three assists and three steals while playing all 40 minutes. Glenn was named the PSAC Championships MVP after averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists over the last two games.
Senior
Emma Mahady finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists in the victory, while classmate
Kaitlynn Fratz posted 17 points and eight rebounds. Junior
Lana Doran added eight points and three rebounds while battling foul trouble on Sunday.
The Golden Rams jumped out to a 6-0 lead, as the Vulcans were held scoreless until a basket by senior
Irina Kukolj at the 16:39-mark. On the ensuing possession, West Chester was unable to complete a traditional three-point play before Cal U scored five-straight points to cut the deficit to 8-7 after Glenn converted a three-point play with 15:07 left in the first half. The Golden Rams then mounted a 7-2 run to take a 15-9 lead with 10:42 remaining before halftime before the Vulcans cut the deficit to 15-13 after four free-throws by Glenn. Cal U later snapped a nearly-minute drought without a field goal when Fratz made a three-pointer to give the Vulcans their first lead of the game with 7:29 left before halftime. The Vulcans eventually scored 16-unasnwered points to take a 25-15 lead on a three-pointer by Glenn at the 4:37-mark. Cal U was plagued by foul trouble in the closing minutes of the first half, as West Chester cut the deficit to 34-27 at halftime.
The teams traded baskets in the opening two-plus minutes of the second half before West Chester mounted a 10-2 run to trim the deficit to 42-41 with 14:20 remaining. During the run, the Vulcans managed to make one-of-six from the floor and committed two turnovers. Both teams were held scoreless for the next 90-plus seconds before Glenn converted a three-point play at the 12:40-mark before the Golden Rams cut the deficit to 45-44 with 11:54 left to play. Cal U then mounted a 12-6 run to stretch the lead to 57-50 following a three-pointer by Glenn with 9:11 remaining. The Golden Rams cut the deficit to 65-62 before the Vulcans sealed the victory with a 13-2 run to take a 78-64 lead on a layup by Fratz at the 1:07-mark. West Chester made just one-of-eight field-goals and committed a pair of turnovers during the rally. The Vulcans made all eight free-throws attempts in the final minute to maintain their double-digit lead.
Cal U finished the game shooting 38.1 percent (24-of-63) from the field and converted 94.3 percent (33-of-35) from the free-throw line. In comparison, West Chester shot at a 42.0 clip (29-of-69) from the floor and just 57.9 percent (11-of-19) from the charity stripe. The Vulcans held a slim 42-41 rebounding advantage, while the Golden Rams scored 50 points from inside the paint. Cal U scored 20 second-chance points and forced 17 turnovers in the victory.
Junior guard
Britany Sicinski scored a team-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting for the Golden Rams. Classmate
Anna Kuntz finished with 17 points, while fellow junior
Chikisha Steele-Hook collected a game-high 10 rebounds (four offensive).
Cal U has been featured in each of the NCAA Atlantic regional rankings this season, sitting fourth in each of the last two weeks. The Vulcans posted victories over three of the top-six teams in the latest regional rankings this week in the PSAC Tournament.
Latest NCAA Rankings
The NCAA Selection Show is tonight on NCAA.com at 10 p.m. EST.
PSAC SEMIFINAL RECAPS
West Chester Advances Past IUP
Bloomsburg, Pa. – West Chester upset No. 7 IUP 63-59 in the semifinals of the 2015 PSAC Women's Basketball Championship on Saturday afternoon in Bloomsburg, Pa.
With the victory, the Golden Rams, the No. 2-seed out of the East, advance to the PSAC Championship game to face the West’s No. 2-seed California in Bloomsburg, Pa. on Sunday at 1 p.m. Sunday marks the first meeting this season for the two programs. The game will be aired live on PCN.
Leading the way for the Golden Rams with 26 points, including six 3-pointers, was
Dallas Ely.
Chikish Steele-Hook was the only other West Chester player in double-figures with 10 points and completed the double-double with 11 rebounds.
Brittany Sicinski also recorded double figures off the boards with a game-high 12, including five offensive.
This is West Chester’s first trip to the PSAC title game since 2003 and the Golden Rams are searching for their first league championship in program history. West Chester played California in the 2003 championship game, and the Vulcans earned a 58-54 victory as part of three-straight league titles for the program.
IUP, awaiting the NCAA Tournament selections on Sunday, March 8, at 10 p.m., concludes the season with a 25-3 overall and 20-2 PSAC record. IUP is ranked second on the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional rankings, while West Chester is ranked sixth.
Boxscore
West Chester Story
IUP Story
California Upsets Bloomsburg
Bloomsburg, Pa. – No. 18 California defeated No. 12 Bloomsburg 63-48 in the semifinals of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday afternoon in Nelson Field House.
California, the No. 2 seed from the West, advances to face East No. 2-seed West Chester in the PSAC Championship game on Sunday, March 8, at 1 p.m. hosted by Bloomsburg. Sunday marks the first meeting this season for the two programs. The game will be aired live on PCN.
Leading the Vulcans was
Kaitlynn Fratz with 32 points while shooting 55% (10-of-18) from the field, which ties her for the fifth-most points in a PSAC tournament game.
Miki Glenn added 16 points and eight rebounds, while PSAC West Freshman of the Year
Seairra Barrett pulled down 10 boards to go along with eight points.
California is making its third trip to the title game in the last five years, and is searching for its first PSAC Championship since 2006. The Vulcans have won four titles in program history, including a 2003 crown that saw California defeat West Chester 58-54.
Bloomsburg, awaiting the NCAA Tournament selections on Sunday, March 8, at 10 p.m., concludes the season with a 24-4 overall and 20-2 PSAC record. Bloomsburg is ranked third on the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional rankings, while California is ranked fourth.
Boxscore
California Story
Bloomsburg Story
PSAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL FOUR PREVIEW
Bloomsburg, Pa. – Following the quarterfinal round of the 2015 Women’s Basketball Championship, four teams remain to vie for the PSAC crown. Bloomsburg University will serve as the Final Four host.
At 1:00 p.m. in Nelson Field House on Saturday, March 7, IUP and West Chester will tip-off in the first semifinal. Bloomsburg will face California at 3:30 p.m. in the second semifinal on Saturday.
The Championship game will be broadcast live on PCN TV and will tip-off at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Production is courtesy of KU-TV, a Kutztown University television station. Please click
here to determine the channel designation of PCN-TV in your area.
In addition to watching the game on television, fans can stream the game online. Click
here for more information.
The PCN Mobile App is also available for download so fans can watch the game live via their mobile device. The app is available on the App Store and Play Store. After subscribing for a one day or yearly subscription to PCN on
pcntv.com, the PCN Mobile App is then available for download and fans can have access to PCN anytime, anywhere.
Please see below for more information about each team competing for the league title this weekend.
2014-15 Team Rankings
|
|
Bloomsburg |
California |
IUP |
West Chester |
|
Scoring Offense |
(5th) 72.8 |
(4th) 72.9 |
(1st) 78.3 |
(2nd) 75.6 |
|
Scoring Defense |
(1st) 57.9 |
(2nd) 59.0 |
(3rd) 59.1 |
(8th) 62.8 |
|
Scoring Margin |
(2nd) 14.9 |
(3rd) 13.9 |
(1st) 19.2 |
(4th) 12.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Field Goal % |
(3rd) 43.6% |
(5th) 42.0% |
(1st) 46.3% |
(4th) 43.2% |
|
3-Point % |
(2nd) 37.3% |
(14th) 29.8% |
(3rd) 37.3% |
(6th) 33.6% |
|
Free Throw % |
(1st) 76.6% |
(4th) 71.0% |
(6th) 69.8% |
(13th) 67.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Field Goal % Defense |
(2nd) 37.2% |
(13th) 41.5% |
(6th) 37.9% |
(9th) 38.3% |
|
3-Point % Defense |
(11th) 32.5% |
(15th) 34.0% |
(1st) 28.4% |
(7th) 31.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rebounding Margin |
(12th) -1.0 |
(9th) +1.0 |
(1st) +10.0 |
(3rd) +6.5 |
|
Blocked Shots |
(6th) 3.48 |
(13th) 2.71 |
(10th) 3.07 |
(2nd) 4.07 |
|
Steals |
(3rd) 10.07 |
(1st) 12.79 |
(12th) 7.33 |
(5th) 9.70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover Margin |
(2nd) 5.78 |
(1st) 9.11 |
(6th) 1.07 |
(3rd) 3.59 |
|
Turnovers Forced |
(2nd) 21.5 |
(1st) 23.3 |
(12th) 15.5 |
(3rd) 19.3 |
|
Assist-Turnover Ratio |
(3rd) 1.04 |
(8th) 0.92 |
(1st) 1.31 |
(6th) 0.98 |
|
Assists |
(3rd) 16.3 |
(11th) 13.1 |
(1st) 18.9 |
(5th) 15.3 |
BLOOMSBURG (24-3, 20-2 PSAC)
Game Notes
PSAC Tournament Titles: 2013, 1992
• Bloomsburg is making its fifth consecutive trip to the PSAC Final Four after securing its record fifth straight outright PSAC East regular season title.
• The Huskies have been one of the top teams in not only the PSAC but the nation over the past five years, compiling a five-year record of 122-26 entering the weekend to rank seventh in the country in total victories and fourth in overall winning percentage.
• The Huskies are powered by PSAC East Athlete of the Year Marla Simmons. The senior guard ranks as the top scorer in the PSAC East this season (14.2ppg).
• Fellow all-conference selections Jocelyn Ford (9.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg) and Adreana Sadowski (10.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 bpg) add valuable postseason experience while senior transfer Taylor Maldonado (10.9 ppg, 3.1 apg, 2.5 rpg) has been an important addition to the starting lineup as the Huskies seek their third conference title and first since 2013, the last time they hosted the final four.
2014-15 Versus California: Bloomsburg defeated California, 68-56 • 1/4/2015
All-Time Versus California: California has 11 wins, Bloomsburg has 9 wins
PSAC Tournament record: California has 2 wins, Bloomsburg has 2 wins
2014-15 Statistical Leaders
|
Points/Game |
|
|
M. Simmons |
14.2 |
|
T. Maldonado |
10.9 |
|
A. Sadowski |
10.8 |
|
3-Pt FG |
|
|
C. Boehner |
42 |
|
T. Maldonado |
38 |
|
FT Pct (2.5m pg) |
|
|
M. Simmons |
.870 |
|
Rebounds/Game |
|
|
A. Sadowski |
7.0 |
|
M. Simmons |
5.7 |
|
Assists |
|
|
M. Simmons |
88 |
|
T. Maldonado |
84 |
|
Steals |
|
|
T. Maldonado |
54 |
CALIFORNIA (24-4, 19-3 PSAC)
Game Notes
PSAC Tournament Titles: 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002
• The Vulcans are making their first trip to the PSAC Final Four since 2011 after previously playing in the PSAC Championship every year from 2001-11.
• Cal U enters the weekend with an 11-2 record in games away from home this season with one of the losses coming Jan. 4 at Bloomsburg.
• The Vulcans have already posted their winningest season since the 2009-10 campaign when they finished 24-8 overall.
• For the first time in seven years, the Vulcans have four players scoring in double digits.
2014-15 Versus Bloomsburg: Bloomsburg defeated California, 68-56 • 1/4/2015
All-Time Versus Bloomsburg: California has 11 wins, Bloomsburg has 9 wins
PSAC Tournament record: California has 2 wins, Bloomsburg has 2 wins
2014-15 Statistical Leaders
|
Points/Game |
|
|
M. Glenn |
15.2 |
|
E. Mahady |
14.0 |
|
K. Fratz |
13.2 |
|
3-Pt FG |
|
|
K. Fratz |
38 |
|
E. Mahady |
33 |
|
FT Pct (2.5m pg) |
|
|
M. Glenn |
.831 |
|
E. Mahady |
.788 |
|
Rebounds/Game |
|
|
E. Mahady |
5.6 |
|
S. Barrett |
5.4 |
|
Assists |
|
|
M. Glenn |
110 |
|
Steals |
|
|
M. Glenn |
79 |
IUP (25-2, 20-2 PSAC)
Game Notes
• IUP’s 25 wins this year is the most since its 2008-09 PSAC championship winning year when the Crimson Hawks finished 26-6.
• For the second consecutive year, the Crimson Hawks broke a single season team record in 3-pointers and head into this weekend with 221 in 27 games.
• PSAC West Athlete of the Year Lindsay Stamp ranks in the top 20 in D-II with 20.1ppg and in the top 10 in the PSAC with 8.2rpg entering the weekend.
• IUP leads the PSAC, and is fourth nationally in scoring margin with a +19.2ppg. The Crimson Hawks lead the league and are 12th in Division II with 78.3ppg this season.
PSAC Tournament Titles: 2009, 2008, 2007, 1988
2014-15 Versus West Chester: IUP defeated West Chester, 76-54 • 1/4/15
All-Time Versus West Chester: West Chester has 8 wins, IUP has 11 wins
PSAC Tournament record: IUP has 2 wins, West Chester has 1 win
2014-15 Statistical Leaders
|
Points/Game |
|
|
L. Stamp |
20.1 |
|
A. Stoner |
13.7 |
|
L. Stapleton |
9.8 |
|
3-Pt FG |
|
|
L. Stamp |
56 |
|
M. Mathe |
50 |
|
FT Pct (2.5m pg) |
|
|
A. Stoner |
.828 |
|
Rebounds/Game |
|
|
L. Stamp |
8.2 |
|
A. Stoner |
6.6 |
|
Z. Brooks |
5.6 |
|
Assists |
|
|
M. Mathe |
141 |
|
Steals |
|
|
A. Fairman |
58 |
WEST CHESTER (23-4, 18-4 PSAC)
Game Notes
• West Chester is making its second straight appearance in the league semifinals and fifth trip in the last seven seasons.
• Juniors Dallas Ely and Brittany Sickinski, repeat All-PSAC First Team selections from a year ago, led the Golden Rams to the program’s most wins since winning 24 games during the 2002-03 season.
• West Chester ranks second in the PSAC East in scoring margin (12.9) and first in rebound margin (6.5) and is the only PSAC East team to rank in the top four overall in both categories.
PSAC Tournament Titles: none
2014-15 Versus IUP: IUP defeated West Chester, 76-54 • 1/4/15
All-Time Versus IUP: West Chester has 8 wins, IUP has 11 wins
PSAC Tournament record: IUP has 2 wins, West Chester has 1 win
2014-15 Statistical Leaders
|
Points/Game |
|
|
D. Ely |
14.4 |
|
B. Sicinski |
13.7 |
|
C. Steele-Hook |
9.6 |
|
3-Pt FG |
|
|
D. Ely |
47 |
|
J. Clark |
42 |
|
FT Pct (2m pg) |
|
|
D. Ely |
.822 |
|
Rebounds/Game |
|
|
C. Steele-Hook |
7.8 |
|
A. Kuntz |
6.5 |
|
Assists |
|
|
B. Sicinski |
95 |
|
D. Ely |
88 |
|
Steals |
|
|
B. Sicinski |
59 |
PSAC QUARTERFINAL RECAPS
Bloomsburg Tops Kutztown
Bloomsburg, Pa. – Bloomsburg defeated Kutztown 64-54 in the quarterfinals of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Tuesday evening in Bloomsburg, Pa.
With the victory, the Huskies will host the PSAC Semifinals and Championship game this weekend as the highest remaining Eastern Division seed. Bloomsburg will face the Western Division's No. 2-seed California at 3:30 p.m.
Leading the way for the Huskies with 18 points and five rebounds was
Jocelyn Ford, while
Taylor Maldonado added 17 points.
Marla Simmons,
Adreana Sadowski, and
Erica Maciejewski added eight points apiece.
The last time the Vulcans and Huskies met in the quarterfinals was 2011, with California coming out on top, 77-71. Bloomsburg has reached the PSAC semifinals for five straight seasons and last hosted the PSAC Final Four in 2013 when it won the program’s second league title.
Kutztown finishes the season 12-16 overall and 10-12 in PSAC play.
Boxscore
Bloomsburg Story
Kutztown Story
West Chester Edges Shippensburg
West Chester, Pa. – West Chester defeated Shippensburg 77-70 in the quarterfinals of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Tuesday evening in West Chester, Pa.
West Chester, the No. 2-seed in the Eastern Division, will play the West’s No. 1-seed IUP on Saturday, March 7, in a 1 p.m. PSAC Semifinal contest hosted by Bloomsburg.
The Golden Rams registered three players in double-digits, led by double-doubles from
Dallas Ely, 19 points and 10 rebounds, and
Serifat Junaid, 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Jasmen Clark contributed 10 points, while
Brittany Sicinski registered a game-high four assists to go along with eight points.
West Chester, which has qualified for the league tournament for eight straight seasons, will play in the semifinals for the third time in the last four seasons and will look to reach its first PSAC Championship game since 2003.
Shippensburg finishes its season 19-11 overall and 14-8 in conference play.
Boxscore
West Chester Story
Shippensburg Story
IUP Downs Defending-Champion Edinboro
Indiana, Pa. – IUP defeated Edinboro 71-63 in the quarterfinals of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Tuesday night in Indiana, Pa.
IUP, the No. 1-seed in the Western Division, will play the Eastern Division’s No. 2-seed West Chester on Saturday, March 7, in the PSAC Semifinals hosted by Bloomsburg.
Lindsay Stamp netted a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead three Crimson Hawks in double figures.
Leslie Stapleton and
Ashley Stoner added 14 and 13 points, respectively; while
Marita Mathe registered a team-high nine assists.
IUP, which has earned 25 wins for the first time since clinching the league title in 2009, last faced West Chester in the 2009 PSAC Tournament and defeated the Golden Rams 79-65 before downing California 60-51 in overtime to win the conference title.
Edinboro will await the NCAA Tournament selections and holds a 20-8 overall record and 16-6 slate in PSAC action.
Boxscore
IUP Story
Edinboro Story
California Beats Gannon
California Pa. – California topped Gannon 66-53 in the quarterfinals of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Tuesday night in California, Pa.
California, the No. 2-seed in the Western Division, will play the East’s No. 1-seed Bloomsburg on Saturday, March 7, in a 3:30 p.m. PSAC Semifinal contest in Bloomsburg.
The Vulcans boasted the game’s three highest scorers led by
Miki Glenn and
Irina Kukolj’s 18 points apiece.
Kaitlynn Fratz added 17, while yanking down a game-high eight rebounds.
California avenged losses to Gannon from the 2013 and 2014 league quarterfinals, and is looking to reach its first championship game since 2011. The Vulcans, currently on a nine-game winning streak, have made 15 straight PSAC postseason appearances.
Gannon, awaiting the NCAA Tournament selections, concludes the season with a 21-7 overall and 18-4 PSAC record.
Boxscore
California Story
Gannon Story
PSAC FIRST ROUND RECAPS
Edinboro Downs Seton Hill
Edinboro, Pa – Defending PSAC champion Edinboro defeated Seton Hill 68-53 in the first round of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday afternoon in Edinboro, Pa.
Edinboro, the No. 4-seed in the Western Division, will travel to No. 1-seed IUP for a Tuesday, March 3, PSAC Quarterfinal contest at 7p.m.
Leading the way for the Fighting Scots with 17 points was
Lauren Hippo, while
Nicole Johnson racked-up 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Aignee’ Freeland finished with 15 points, while
Valerie Majewski posted 11 points and four assists.
Edinboro played IUP in the quarterfinals last season and defeated the Crimson Hawks 79-60.
Seton Hill caps the year with a 12-17 overall record and an 8-14 mark in PSAC action.
Boxscore
Edinboro Story
Seton Hill Story
Shippensburg Advances Past East Stroudsburg
Shippensburg, Pa. – Shippensburg defeated East Stroudsburg 83-60 in the first round of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday afternoon in Shippensburg, Pa.
Shippensburg, the Eastern Division’s No. 3-seed, will now face No. 2-seed West Chester on Tuesday, March 3, at 5:30p.m. in West Chester.
Four Raiders reached double-digits in scoring led by
Haley Scullion’s 16 points and 10 boards.
Colleen Young and
Lauren Gold each finished with 13, while Morgan Griffith posted 11.
Shippensburg has advanced to the quarterfinals twice in the last three seasons, including a 2012 appearance against Bloomsburg that resulted in a 69-61 Husky victory.
East Stroudsburg finished the year with an 11-16 overall record and a 10-12 mark in conference play.
Boxscore
Shippensburg Story
East Stroudsburg Story
Kutztown Beats Lock Haven
Kutztown, Pa. – Kutztown defeated Lock Haven 74-52 in the first round of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday afternoon in Kutztown, Pa.
Kutztown, the Eastern Division’s No. 4 seed, will travel to No. 1-seed Bloomsburg for a 7 p.m. quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday, March 3.
Golden Bear
Advia Campbell led all scorers with 21 points alongside 15 rebounds.
Elisa Gaffney posted 16 points, while
Natalya Lee added 13 points and five assists.
Kutztown is making its third straight appearance in the quarterfinals and last played Bloomsburg in 2013 quarterfinals. Bloomsburg won that 2013 matchup 81-52, and went on to win the league title.
Lock Haven enjoyed its first appearance in the PSAC postseason since the 1990-91 season and finished the year with an 11-16 overall record and 10-12 mark in conference play.
Boxscore
Kutztown Story
Lock Haven Story
Gannon Handles Slippery Rock
Erie, Pa. – Gannon defeated Slippery Rock 66-48 in the first round of the 2015 PSAC Women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday afternoon in Erie, Pa.
The Lady Knights will travel to face No. 2-seed California in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, March 3, at 7 p.m.
Gannon, the Western Division’s No. 3-seed, registered four players in double-digits led by
Nettie Blake’s 14 points.
Mollie Sebald notched 13, while
Brittany Batts and
Morgan Neighbors posted 11 apiece. Blake also led all players with 12 rebounds to complete the double-double, and
Amanda Berchtold posted seven assists.
Gannon has played in the PSAC title game for the past two seasons and defeated California in the quarterfinals a year ago, 62-57.
Slippery Rock finishes its season with an 11-16 overall record and a 7-15 mark in PSAC action.
Boxscore
Gannon Story
Slippery Rock Story