Feb 9, 2025 By the Herald-Standard 4 min read

Donald Whitehead Jr. scored a career-high 33 points, including four 3-pointers, to help California storm back for an 86-73 PSAC West victory in men’s basketball action Saturday.

The Vulcans (9-7, 14-10) trailed 44-36 at halftime after falling behind by 20 points, then out-scored the Rock 50-29 in the second half to win going away.

The victory keeps Cal tied for second place in the conference.

Whitehead, who also had six assists, tallied 26 points in the second half.

Cam Polak added 20 points, including the 1,000th of his career, and eight rebounds for California, which also got a double-double from Kadyn Hannah who had 19 points and 10 rebounds while also coming up with five steals. Dalman Alexander pulled down 14 rebounds.

The Rock (7-8, 11-12), which led 41-21 with just under four minutes left in the first half, was led by Day Waters who hit seven 3-pointers on his way to a 29-point game. Jomo Goings followed with 18 points and Luke Hess had 12 points.

Cal took the lead for good, 66-65, with 6:25 left on Whitehead’s basket with 6:25 left.

Westminster 79, Waynesburg 72 – Drew Weir scored 20 points as the Titans out-scored the host Yellow Jackets 44-38 in the second half to claim a PAC victory at Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse.

The game featured 24 lead changes and 13 ties.

Mick Hergenrother had 19 points, including a basket with 3:49 remaining that put Westminster ahead to stay, and Alex Rothwell added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Titans (4-12, 7-14).

Waynesburg (5-11, 7-14) took its last lead on a jump shot by Jalen Goins to make it 66-65 with 4:02 left. Westminster closed the game on a 14-6 run.

Antone Baker totaled 22 points and 19 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets who also got 13 points from Jaylen Davis and 10 apiece from Goins and PJ Suggs.

Penn State DuBois 91, Penn State Fayette 88 – Beau Verdill had 24 points and 12 rebounds as Penn State DuBois held off visiting Penn State Fayette in a PSUAC game.

Niare Poplar (16), Kyron Harbin (14) and Ashton Fortson (11) also scored in double figures for DuBois.

Brandon Dennison scored to give Fayette (6-7, 7-14) a 60-56 lead with 14:53 remaining but DuBois out-scored the visitors 35-28 the rest of the way. Nate Cornelius’ 3-pointer with 12:37 left put DuBois (7-6, 10-12) ahead to stay, 61-60.

Dasilas Jones poured in 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the way for Fayette. Zachary Hill followed with 18 points, Dennison wound up with 16 and Rashawn Wilcox added 10 points.

Women’s basketball

California 79, Slippery Rock 56 – Talia Gilliard rang up a career-high 30 points, including six 3-pointers, in the Vulcans’ PSAC West victory at Slippery Rock.

Kimaya Williams followed with 12 points for California (9-7, 13-10) which also got 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists from Iyahnna Williams and 11 points from Sierra Bermudez.

Rebecca Goetz led the Rock (4-11, 7-14) with 16 points and Sophia Hook had 13.

The Vulcans led 53-47 after three quarters then pulled away with a 26-9 advantage in the fourth.

Waynesburg 76, Westminster 61 – Mia Henkins scored 15 points and the host Yellow Jackets gradually pulled away for a PAC victory over the Titans.

Waynesburg Central graduate Clara Paige Miller hit three 3-pointers in scoring 13 points and also snagged eight rebounds, and Madisen Dayton also tallied 13 points for Waynesburg (6-10, 11-10).

The Yellow Jackets also got six points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals from Kalista Friday and 10 boards from Tori Wesolowski.

Syka Maddie tossed in a game-high 20 points for Westminster (3-13, 3-18) which also got 11 points from Grace Cano.

Penn State DuBois 72, Penn State Fayette 43 – Natalie Bowser dropped in 22 points as Penn State DuBois beat visiting Penn State Fayette in a PSUAC game.

Shannon Shaw followed close behind with 21 points for DuBois (8-5, 10-9).

Carmichaels graduate Sophia Zalar led Fayette with 11 points and six rebounds. Takiah Cheathon contributed 10 points and four assists and Reagan Rudder added 10 points and five rebounds for Fayette.

Boys basketball

Serra Catholic 78, Waynesburg Central 53 – Owen Dumbroski racked up a game-high 31 points, Mark Johnson followed with 16 and Jake Holmes had 11 as host Serra Catholic (18-3) triumphed over the Raiders in a non-section game.

Dane Woods totaled 13 points and 11 rebounds for Waynesburg (9-12) which also got 12 points from Jack Ricciuti, 10 points from Cole Headlee and seven assists from Austin Surber.

Boys wrestling

Pine Richland Duals – Kole Doppelheuer went 6-0 in the 152-pound division and recorded his 100th career win along the way for Belle Vernon at the Pine Richland Duals.

Elijah Brown went 6-0 at 220, Deydon Soto was 6-0 at 138 and Connor Hoffman was 5-0 at 160 for the Leopards.