The women’s basketball team played at home court against IUP, with the Vulcans winning 74-69, a close five-point lead.
Their win secured them the fifth seed from the Western Division in next week’s PSAC Tournament and will travel to face the division’s fourth-seeded team, which is still to be determined, on Monday, March 2. The game marked their second win this year over a nationally-ranked opponent and earned their first victory over a top-five program since the 2019-20 season, which was also against IUP.
According to Vulcan Athletics, Hope Hawkins scored a career-high 23 points on 11 out of 19 field goal shot attempts. She also tallied 12 rebounds, five that were offensive, for her third double-double of the season.
Kennedy Bankett finished with 22 points on 8 out of 14 field goal shot attempts, excluding free throws, and three steals.
Kimaya Williams collected 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Jalasia Hull posted 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in 28 minutes off the bench.
Currently, the women’s basketball team has won 13 consecutive home meetings against the Crimson Hawks dating back to their 2012-13 campaign.
With a much larger lead, the men’s basketball team won 78-60, a hefty 18 points.
They consecutively won the series with IUP for the second time in the last three years and its third consecutive home game in the series, with IUP being a nationally-ranked opponent.
Cal earned a first-round bye in next week’s tournament, allowing them to host the quarterfinals on March 4.
Bryson Lucas registered his tenth double-double of the year, with 18 points scored and 12 rebounds and added two assists, three blocks and two steals while playing all 40 minutes.
Dalman Alexander led the team with 19 points on seven-of-nine field goal shot attempts and collected six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Jordyn Buchanan finished with 18 points scored, six rebounds and two assists.
Brayden Reynolds totaled nine points scored, seven rebounds and six assists.
The women’s team will close out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28 when it hosts Slippery Rock at the Convocation Center at 1 p.m. They will travel to face either Seton Hill or Edinboro in the PSAC Tournament’s opening round on Monday, March 2, as both teams are currently tied for third place.
The men’s team will close out the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28 by playing against Slippery Rock on Senior Day at 3 p.m. They will be entering the PSAC Tournament quarterfinals against a team that is to be determined on Wednesday, March 4.
