McKinney leads Cal to title game
California University of Pa. stayed on track for a “four-peat” thanks mainly to Sara McKinney. The Vulcan senior guard poured in a game-high 30 points and snagged 18 rebounds as eighth-ranked Cal defeated West Chester, 68-55, in a PSAC women’s basketball tournament semifinal game at Millersville on Friday.
California (25-4), the NCAA Division II defending national champions, can stretch its winning streak to 11 games and claim its fourth consecutive PSAC tournament title with a victory over either Clarion or Millersville tonight. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Pucillo Gym.
The Vulcans, who are ranked fourth in the NCAA East Region, rolled to a 20-point lead in the first half before settling on a 34-18 advantage at intermission.
The Golden Rams (19-10) sliced the gap to five with 6:45 remaining on a 3-pointer by Alexi Norman.
Once again, with the game on the line, McKinney stepped up, scoring three straight baskets to push the lead back up to double digits, and West Chester never threatened again.
McKinney hit 12 of 18 shots and six of eight free throws as Cal shot 50 percent from the floor. McKinney also had six steals and four assists.
Dani Mills added 12 points and four assists for the Vulcans. Megan Storck scored seven points and handed out five assists, Lisa Gottuso totaled eight points and four boards, and Kim Nowakowski chipped in with six points and eight rebounds.
California out-rebounded West Chester, 43-25, while holding them to 32.1 percent shooting from the floor.
Kiesha Mack and Justine Pfaff paced the Rams with 17 and 16 points, respectively.
McKinney, who has recorded a double-double in five straight games, reached the 30-point mark for the third time in her career, and moved past Ashley Totedo and Stacy Cunningham into fifth place on the PSAC career scoring list. She currently stands at 2,058 points.
The Vulcans have won 11 consecutive PSAC tournament games and 11 straight post-season games overall, including last year’s NCAA tournament. This is the fifth consecutive year Cal has played in the PSAC championship game.