Cal U women move one step closer to national title
California University of Pa. took one step closer to the Division II women’s national title after defeating the University of North Florida, 76-62, Wednesday at St. Jospeh Missouri’s Civic Arena. The nation’s top-ranked Vulcans will meet Northern Kentucky University tonight at 7 for the right to play in Saturday’s ESPN-televised national title game.
Mapletown graduate Kristin Polosky scored 13 points, dished out five assists and pulled down three rebounds, as No. 15 Northern Kentucky snapped fifth-ranked Washburn’s 14-game winning streak Wednesday in a 65-53 win.
Against North Florida, California (30-1) took the lead for good on Sara McKinney’s lay-up with 9:10 remaining in the first half, and led 33-29 at intermission. The Vulcans pushed the lead to eight points early in the second half, but North Florida pulled to within 43-40 on Skye Barber’s free throw with 13:59 remaining.
The game remained close until the 4:58 mark, when California turned a six-point lead into a 17-point edge over the next two minutes.
“Our team was much more comfortable in the second half playing defense against Skye Barber and their other players,” said California coach Darcie Vincent.
Megan Storck led a balanced Vulcan attack with 17 points, followed by Becky Siembak’s 13, McKinney’s 12 and Sameera Philyaw’s 10.
Barber led all scorers with 22 points, and Latisha Perry (15) and Mikel Taylor (10) also reached double digits.
California held a decided advantage on the boards, out-rebounding North Florida, 39-24. All but nine of the rebounds came off the defensive glass.
“Defensive transition is probably where we lost the game,” said North Florida coach Mary Tappmeyer.
McKinney led all players with 12 rebounds and five steals, while also dishing out three assists in 27 minutes of action.
Northern Kentucky, winners of four straight, has reached the Division II Final Four four of the past five years, winning the national title Polosky’s freshman season.
Against Washburn, the former Mapletown star hit 5 of 11 shots from the field and 2 of 3 free throws. She added one block and one steal in 34 minutes of action.
“This is an interesting team to coach, and they are playing well right now,” Northern Kentucky coach Nancy Winstel said. “California is a great team, and they have some very impressive players. It’s going to be a tough game.”
Northern Kentucky shot 52.2 percent from the field, and held Washburn to 39.2 percent shooting.