CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team cruised to a 57-48 victory on the road at California University (Pa.) Wednesday night in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action.
 
The victory was the 11th straight for The Rock in the series against California and improves SRU to 13-11 overall and 8-10 in league play. Slippery Rock remains tied for sixth in the division standings after Seton Hill also picked up a win, 59-57 over Gannon, Wednesday night. California drops to 7-17 overall and 4-14 in league games.
 
Cornelius Brown led The Rock with his 11th double-double of the season with 19 points and 13 rebounds.  Malcolm Richardson matched him for game-high honors with 19 points.
 
Chaquille Pratt added eight points, Abdul King chipped in six points and Jamal Gatali added three points. The Rock's only bench scoring on the night came from Jordan Grady, who added two points.
 
Slippery Rock shot 44 percent from the field (22-of-50), 33.3 percent from the 3-point line (3-of-9) and 58.8 percent at the free throw line (10-of-17).
 
California mounted a late rally in part thanks to a strong effort at the free throw line, but the Vulcans could never get back into the game with a poor shooting effort from the floor that resulted in just 14 made field goals (14-of-45, 31.1 percent). Cal was 16.7 percent from the 3-point line (2-of-12) and 66.7 percent at the free throw line (18-of-27).
 
Richard Smith scored 14 points to lead the Vulcans. Luka Andjusic added nine points and Tony Richardson chipped in eight points.
 
The teams traded baskets early on before Slippery Rock pulled away late in the first half to lead 26-16 at the break. California shot just 21.1 percent in the opening 20 minutes.
 
The Rock built their lead to as much as 19 points before California mounted a late rally, sparked by an 11-3 run that included eight made free throws, but the closest the Vulcans could get was eight points.
 
Slippery Rock will now turn its attention to Saturday night's home game against division-leading Indiana (Pa.). Tip is set for 7 p.m. at Morrow Field House.