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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team continued its recent dominance of California University (Pa.) with a 57-50 victory Wednesday night in the final game of the regular season.
 
The win gives The Rock nine consecutive victories over their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division rivals and improves SRU to 19-9 overall and 14-8 in PSAC games heading into the upcoming PSAC playoffs. California needed a victory to clinch the final playoff spot in the division and concludes its season with a 14-14 overall record. The Vulcans dropped eight of their last 10 games to end the season.
 
Slippery Rock earned the No. 4 seed in the Western Division and will host No. 5 seed Edinboro in the first round Saturday at 7 p.m. at Morrow Field House. The Rock won both meetings between the two teams during the regular season, posting a 69-65 win at home and a 75-64 win on the road.
 
Wednesday's victory improved Slippery Rock to 12-1 at home this season as Morrow Field House continues to be one of the toughest places in the PSAC for opponents to win.
 
The Rock's win snapped a two-game skid after a pair of losses last week at Indiana and Clarion and came in typical fashion for how the rest of the season has played out. Slippery Rock matched its worst shooting effort of the season at just 28.8 percent, but posted a massive advantage in rebounding and used that to earn the win. Ironically, SRU scored victories over PSAC West opponents in each of the games it finished with a 28.8 percent efficiency (Mercyhurst and California).
 
The Rock grabbed 21 offensive rebounds Wednesday night and converted those into a 25-4 advantage in second chance scoring in the game. Slippery Rock posted a 48-35 advantage in total rebounding and defended California well enough to hold the Vulcans to just 36 percent shooting in the game.
 
Frank Holloway put forth a strong effort in the post to lead Slippery Rock with 17 points and seven rebounds. Antonio Butler scored in double figures for the 20th consecutive game with 16 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 effort at the free throw line.
 
Perhaps the biggest contributor of the night for Slippery Rock was Erik Raleigh in one of the best outings of his career. He scored six points, but grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and blocked four shots.
 
Desma Nicholson also played a crucial role off the bench as starting point guard Malcolm Richardson got into foul trouble quick and was forced to sit most of the game. Nicholson scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds in 33 minutes of action.
 
Slippery Rock shot 28.8 percent from the field (17-of-59), 26.7 percent from 3-point (4-of-15) and 82.6 percent from the free throw line (19-of-23).
 
California was held to just six made field goals and 20 points in the opening half as Slippery Rock led 26-20 at the break. The Vulcans shot 50 percent in the second half, but couldn't capitalize on Slippery Rock's 25.9 percent effort in the final 20 minutes as The Rock made 14-of-15 free throws and dominated on the glass.
 
California finished the game shooting 36 percent from the field (18-of-50), 26.7 percent from 3-point (4-of-15) and 50 percent from the free throw line (10-of-20).
 
Arman Marks led the Vulcans with 15 points, while Khalil Jabbie added 13 points and five assists.
 
Slippery Rock honored its seven seniors prior to the game. Included in the celebration were Butler, Holloway, Nicholson, Allen Jiles, Chris Hays, Abdul King and Jordan Grady.
 
Saturday will mark the final home game of the season for Slippery Rock as a win in the opening round will send the team on the road to Gannon for the second round.
 
The complete playoff bracket is linked above.