ERIE, Pa. - The California (Pa.) Vulcans sprinted out to a 12-2 lead over Gannon in Sunday afternoon's 2023 PSAC Women's Basketball Championship and maintained that pace throughout the game en route to a 75-63 victory. The championship is California (Pa.)'s seventh all-time PSAC women's basketball title and first since the 2015-16 season.

Cal's Halle Herrington poured in 16 first-half points as the Vulcans led 18-9 after the first quarter and opened up a 15-point lead at halftime, 38-23. Gannon outscored California (Pa.) in the third quarter, 17-15, and the Golden Knights made a run in the fourth quarter--a 14-4 stretch that cut the lead to just five points until the Vulcans' Jordan Smith hit a clutch three-pointer with 4:59 remaining to swing the momentum back in Cal's favor.
  California (Pa.)'s Allycia Harris was named the 2023 Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Harris scored 19 points and hauled in 20 rebounds in the championship game and added 10 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in Saturday's 62-59 semifinal win over West Chester. Herrington led the Vulcans in scoring in the title game with 20 and was joined by Ciaira Loyd (16 points) and Rajah Fink (12) who also contribute to Cal's balanced offensive attack.

Madison Demski led the Golden Knights with 17 points while Western Division Athlete of the Year Sam Pirosko added 15 points and eight rebounds.

With the victory, the Vulcans earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament which begins on March 10. The remainder of the field will be announced Sunday, March 5 at 10:30 p.m. ET.