Mar 7, 2024 By Bill Hughes 3 min read

CALIFORNIA – KJ McClurg paced four players in double figures Wednesday night with 22 points as the California men’s basketball team advanced to the PSAC semifinals with a 91-57 win over Slippery Rock at the Convocation Center.

The Vulcans (26-3), who are ranked No. 8 in NCAA Division II, led the entire game.

Cal will play in the semifinals against Lock Haven, the East Division’s top seed, Saturday at Gannon. Lock Haven beat West Chester 100-76 in the quarterfinals.

“We played well on both sides of the ball, and I loved our play on defense from start to finish,” California head coach Danny Sancomb said. “We were locked in and understood personnel.

“Offensively, when I look down (at the statistics sheet) and see 18 assists, it is always good.”

Cal assisted on 58 percent (18 of 31) of its made shots. The Vulcans shot 48.4 percent while holding The Rock (16-14) to 29.6 shooting from the field and 13.8 percent (4-for-29) from three-point range.

Bryson Lucas added 20 points for Cal while Jermaine Hall, Jr. recorded a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 17 rebounds as well as a game-high five assists. Donald Whitehead, Jr. added 11 points.

“Coach tells me to be the energy guy all the time,” Hall said. “Boxing out and doing the small things to help the team win.”

Cal took control of the game midway through the first half, and it was with McClurg, who entered the game with a 22.7 scoring average, being held scoreless until he hit a layup with 8:02 to play.

McClurg hit a pair of free throws with 5:19 to go in the half, and he caught fire as he finished with 14 points in the opening half. Cal led 44-22 at the break.

“A lot of it is due to my teammates,” he said. “Early, I thought we were trying to go a little too quick. We continued to score, and things found me.

“If you have 18 assists, everyone is going to get a piece of that. They were just finding me in open spots.”

Sancomb was complimentary of The Rock.

“They are one of the better defensive teams in the league and one of the most athletic teams,” he said. “Looking at the rebounds, seeing a plus-11, it says a lot about our effort, and I am pleased with that. I thought we did a good job containing the basketball.”

Sancomb and the Vulcans praised the play of Lucas, who was instrumental in the win by grabbing five rebounds to go with his 20 points.

“Bryson is a great player for us,” McClurg said. “He does a little bit of everything.”

“Seeing Bryson’s growth, it is the best thing we can see from him,” Hall, Jr. said. “He is putting in the extra work, loves the game and is a freak athlete.”

“(Lucas) hasn’t started to touch his potential,” Sancomb said. His best basketball is coming.

“I think he is the most versatile defender in the country and can guard the one through the five (positions).”