Vulcans defeat Seton Hill to reach PSAC final
Bryson Lucas recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds, both game highs, as PennWest California advanced to the PSAC men’s basketball championship game with a 77-63 victory over Seton Hill at Highmarks Events Center in Erie on Saturday.
The Vulcans (21-8) were scheduled to take on Gannon in the conference final in Erie at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.
California jumped out to a 17-4 lead but Seton Hill stormed back and the game was tied 34-34 at halftime.
Cal outscored the Griffins (18-13) 43-29 in the second half.
Dalman Alexander’s jump shot with 17:31 remaining put the Vulcans ahead to stay, 39-38, and they extended their advantage from there.
Cal took its biggest lead of 66-48 after Brayden Reynolds’ three-point play with 8:37 left.
Antoine Arnett had 14 points for the Vulcans, who also got 13 points and eight rebounds from Reynolds, 11 points off the bench from Laurel Highlands’ graduate Keondre DeShields and 10 points and eight rebounds from Alexander.
Dean Simos led Seton Hill with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He was followed by Kedrick Curtis with 16 points and Camden Brewer with 11 points.
California shot 50 percent from the floor (27 of 54) and also from the 3-point line (9 of 18). Lucas hit three 3-pointers, Arnett and Jordyn Buchanan made two apiece and Reynolds and DeShields each sank one.
Cal reached the PSAC tournament final for the 16th time.