SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team reeled off its 10th straight win with an 85-74 victory over California University (Pa.) in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division action Saturday from Morrow Field House.
 
The Rock improved to 12-2 overall and 6-2 in PSAC games, moving up into a tie for second in the Western Division after Edinboro lost at home to Kutztown Saturday. The Rock will get the chance to move into first place when they visit rival Indiana (Pa.) Monday night for a 7:30 p.m. tip as the Crimson Hawks currently sit atop the division with just one league loss. California (Pa.) saw its season records dip to 6-8 overall and 2-6 in league play.
 
The Vulcans shot 51.7 percent in the first half and knocked down five early 3-pointers to take a 42-42 tie into halftime, but The Rock slammed the door in the second half, holding California to just 35.3 percent from the field and shooting 48.7 percent themselves.
 
Slippery Rock used a massive advantage on the glass to record 27 second-chance points for the biggest difference in the game. The Rock finished with 54 total rebounds, including 26 offensive boards. California grabbed just nine offensive boards and finished with only 31 total rebounds. That advantage inside led to a 60-32 edge in scoring in the paint for SRU.
 
Slippery Rock shot 44.9 percent from the field (35-of-78), 14.3 percent from 3-point (2-of-14) and 72.2 percent at the free throw line (13-of-18). California finished the game shooting 42.9 percent from the field (27-of-63), 33.3 percent from 3-point (8-of-24) and 75 percent at the free throw line (12-of-16).
 
Micah Till was dominant from the early stages of the game, nearly putting up a double-double in the first half alone. He finished with his ninth double-double of the season with 20 points and 17 rebounds to go along with two steals, one block and two assists.
 
Brandon Simmons picked up two early fouls and sat most of the first half but was a force in the second half, finishing the game with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four blocked shots.
 

MBK: Rock pulls away for an 85-74 victory over California for The Rock's 10th straight win. Micah Till finishes with 20 points and 17 rebounds. Brandon Simmons put an exclamation point on the win. pic.twitter.com/fJBh3TeecP

— Rock Athletics (@Rock_Athletics) January 6, 2018

Bruce Spruell saw the majority of minutes at the point guard position and put up one of his best outings of the year with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. Merdic Green added 17 points and eight rebounds as SRU placed four players in double figures. Khyree Wooten and Christal Malalu each scored six points to cap the top scorers for The Rock.
 
Jahmere Howze led California with a game-high 22 point. Isaiah Lewis added 17 points, Terry Davis, Jr. had 13 points and Robel Teckle and Philip Alexander each scored 11 points.
 
Saturday's win marked the fourth time in school history at Rock men's basketball team has reached a 10-game winning streak, tying for the fourth-best streak ever. The program record, set in 1989-90, stands at 16 straight wins.
 
Slippery Rock will look for its 11th straight win when it faces its toughest challenge in more than a month Monday night on the road at league favorite Indiana (Pa.). Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.



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