CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team lost to eighth-ranked California (Pa.), 96-65, on the road Monday night in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division game at the California University Convocation Center.
The loss drops The Rock's record to 7-8 overall and 4-5 in PSAC West competition. The win was the Vulcans' third straight, improving their record to 14-1 overall and 8-1 in league games.
Slippery Rock jumped out to a 13-8 lead through the opening four minutes of the first quarter thanks to a trio of 3-pointers by Malloy Heinle,
Morgan Henderson and
Krista Pietropola. However, California proceeded to close the quarter on a 16-4 run to take a 24-17 lead into the second quarter. The Vulcans outscored The Rock 25-15 in the second period to stretch its lead out to 17 points at 49-32 heading into halftime.
SRU shot 48 percent from the field in the first half, but couldn't overcome 21 turnovers, which the Vulcans created 31 points off of. Slippery Rock greatly reduced its turnovers in the second half, but California sealed the victory by outscoring The Rock 47-33 over the third and fourth quarters on the way to its win.
Heinle and
C.C. Dixon scored 13 points each to pace The Rock. Dixon also had five rebounds with Heinle close behind with four rebounds of her own. Heinle also went 5-for-7 from the field overall and 3-for-4 from 3-point range.
Cassidy Wright and
Brooke Hinderliter produced matching 11-point performances as well with Wright also passing out a Rock-high four assists. Henderson rounded out The Rock's top scorers with seven points in addition to her team-highs of six rebounds, two steals and one block.
As a team, Slippery Rock shot 44.8 percent (26-of-58) from the field overall, 32 percent (8-of-25) from 3-point range and 50 percent (5-of-10) at the free throw line.
California was 42.7 percent (38-of-89) from the field, 36.8 percent (7-of-19) from 3-point territory and 54.2 percent (13-of-24) at the free throw line. The Vulcans forced The Rock into 32 turnovers and finished the game with 44 points off turnovers. California also held a 47-43 rebounding advantage over The Rock.
The Vulcans were led by Mikki Glenn, who scored 28 points, grabbed nine rebounds, passed out seven assists and made six steals.
Slippery Rock will look to snap its three-game losing streak with a win at home against Clarion on Wednesday. Tipoff from Morrow Field House is set for 5 p.m.
