CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team dropped a 72-53 decision despite a strong first half performance at California (Pa.) Saturday.
 
The loss moves The Rock to 2-17 on the season and 2-14 within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The Vulcans claimed their second straight win on the year, improving to 16-7 overall and 11-6 in PSAC competition.
 
Kristina Donza guided Slippery Rock with 15 points, three rebounds and two steals. Regan Atkins followed up with 11 points, four rebounds and an assist.
 
Deryn Moye's five rebounds led SRU on the boards on top of 10 points, three assists, two steals and her first career block. Duda Raimundo chipped in with a season-high six points and four rebounds as well.  
 
Slippery Rock kicked off the first quarter with consistency from 3-point range from Donza and Kaylin Venick. Shooting 63.6 percent overall from the floor, SRU earned a 17-14 lead to end the opening period.
 
Cal came out firing in the second quarter with a swift 15-0 run through the first four minutes. The Rock responded with a 14-3 run of their own, though, that started with an and-1 from Moye and a third 3-pointer on the day scored by Donza.  
 
SRU continued to fight back late in the half, cutting the deficit down to 35-31 at halftime.  
 
Cal took advantage of seven points off turnovers and five second chance points in the third quarter to pull away with a 52-39 margin, outscoring Slippery Rock, 15-8.
 
It was more of the same in the final quarter for the Vulcans, who shot 52.6 percent from the floor through the fourth frame. With a 22-14 advantage in the quarter, California extended its lead to 72-53 by the final buzzer.
 
Cal ended the day shooting 29-of-67 (.433) compared to SRU's 18-of-48 (.375). The Rock had the upper hand in 3-point shooting by going 6-of-12 (.500) over California's 2-of-14 (.143). SRU also found a slight edge from the foul line, shooting 11-of-17 (.647), while the Vulcans went 12-of-19 (.632).
 
Dejah Terrell's 20 points and nine rebounds led California in both categories. Kimaya Williams helped the Vulcans to victory with 11 points off the bench.
 
Slippery Rock will remain on the road when it travels to Gannon University 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Golden Knights were ranked second nationally in the most recent Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll.




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