SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -  The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team continues its busiest stretch of the season when it heads to California (Pa.) 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in search of its eighth consecutive victory.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Video and live statistics for Wednesday's game will be available free of charge at the below links.
 
GAME 16 DETAILS
Opponent: California (Pa.)
Date: Wednesday – 7:30 p.m.
Location: California, Pennsylvania
Venue: Convocation Center
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
 
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Cal leads 92-91
Current Streak: CAL W2
At California: CAL leads 57-34
First Meeting: Jan. 17, 1920 (SRU won 37-9)
Last Meeting: March 6, 2024 (CAL won 91-57)
Most Points, SRU: 115 - Feb. 20, 1991
Most Points, CAL: 113 - Feb. 20, 1991
Largest Victory, SRU: 46 (86-40, Feb. 23, 1946)
Largest Victory, CAL: 35 (98-63, Feb 3, 1999)
SRU coach Ian Grady vs. California: 5-7
California coach Danny Sancomb vs. SRU: 7-5
 
In a series that began all the way back in 1920, The Rock and Vulcans have played 183 times over the past 104 years with California holding a slight 92-91 edge in the all-time series. Cal enters Wednesday having won five of the last eight meetings between the two PSAC West rivals including a pair of PSAC Tournament victories in 2021-22 and 2023-24. A win over the Vulcans this week would mark SRU's first win in California since 2022.
 
ROCK ROTATION vs. CALIFORNIA
• Ike Herster: 19.3 Points, 3.7 Rebounds (3 Games)
• Maceo Austin: 17.7 Points, 7.0 Rebounds, 1.7 Steals, 1.0 Blocks (3 Games)
• Jomo Goings: 12.0 Points, 5.2 Rebounds, 2.0 Assists, 1.0 Steals (5 Games)
• Bobby Clifford: 7.0 Points, 3.6 Rebounds (7 Games)
• Sheick Samoura: 6.7 Points, 1.0 Blocks, 1.3 Steals (3 Games)
 

TEAM COMPARISON
SRU	STAT	CAL
77.3	Points per Game	83.5
73.7	Opp. Points per Game	81.8
.437	Field Goal Pct.	.420
.443	Opp. Field Goal Pct.	.434
.305	3-Point Pct.	.317
.340	Opp 3-Point Pct.	.344
6.5	3-PT Made per Game	9.1
.766	Free Throw Pct.	.790
18.1	FT Made Per Game	17.3
37.2	Rebounds per Game	41.4
36.5	Opp. Rebounds per Game	40.4
+0.7	Rebounding Margin	+1.0
+1.1	Turnover Margin	+1.5
10.7	Steals	6.8
4.9	Blocks	2.9

SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 9-6
• PSAC Record: 6-2
• PSAC West Standings: 2nd
• Home Record: 5-5
• Away Record: 4-1
• Streak: W7
• Last 5 Games: 5-0
• Head Coach: Ian Grady | Seventh season (93-68, .578)

LAST TIME OUT
Behind a stellar second-half performance, Slippery Rock capped off its seventh consecutive victory in the form of a 90-74 victory Monday over Pitt-Johnstown at Morrow Field House. Slippery Rock was practically flawless offensively in the second half. The Rock made 70 percent (21-for-30) of its field goal attempts in the final 20 minutes on the way to 59 points in the final period while committing just four turnovers and out-rebounding UPJ 19-8 (Box Score).

GOING FOR 8
A victory over California would mark The Rock's eighth straight win. Already in possession of the second longest winning streak during head coach Ian Grady's tenure, if SRU would pick up its eighth consecutive victory it would mark the ## longest streak for the program in its modern era (post 1986-87 when the 3-point line was adopted by the NCAA).
 
Winning Streaks (Since 1986-87)
1. 16 Games (1989-90)
2. 12 Games (2018-19)
t3. 10 Games (2009-10)
t3. 10 Games (2017-18)
5. 9 Games (2008-09)
t6. 7 Games (Current)
t6. 7 Games (2008-09)
 
ROCK AMONG D2'S BEST DEFENSIVELY
Through its first 15 games of the season, Slippery Rock finds itself ranked among the nation's best in a trio of defensive categories. SRU enters the California game 14th in Division II in blocks per game (4.9), 20th in steals (10.7) and 23rd in forced turnovers per game (17.87).
 
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE ONES
After an uncharacteristically off night from the foul line in its Jan. 3 win over Seton Hill (9-of-16), SRU returned to form from line by converting 17-of-21 attempts (.810) against Pitt-Johnstown.
 
The Rock by in large has been great at the foul line this season. SRU currently ranks 17th in the country in made free throws per game (18.1), 34th in free throw attempts per game (23.6) and 36th in free throw shooting percentage (.766).
 
THE ROCK'S RECORD WHEN…
Shoots Above 45 percent: 6-2
Outrebounds Opponent: 7-2
Commits Fewer Turnovers Than Opponent: 7-1
 
THE ROCK ROTATION
• SRU's last two victories over Pitt-Johnstown and Seton Hill have featured the eight-man rotation of Maceo Austin, Jomo Goings, Ike Herster, Luke Howes, O'Meech Wilson, Bobby Clifford, Sheick Samoura and Day Waters logging most of the minutes.
 
• The quartet of Goings, Austin, Herster and Waters have all proven more than capable of taking over games offensively when needed to.
 
• Simply put, Goings can do it all for The Rock. He heads to California leading SRU in scoring (17.5), rebounding (6.2), steals (2.9) and foul shooting (.859) all the while dishing out 3.3 assists per game and being a .461 overall shooter from the field.
 
• Likewise, Austin gets it done on both ends of the court as well. A 16.3 ppg scorer who shoots 47.3 percent from the field, Austin is also good for 5.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
 
• Waters continued to hit his stride in the Pitt-Johnstown win with a season-high 20 points that came in large part to a 4-for-6 showing from 3-point range. Waters is now averaging 9.3 points per game.
 
• Herster, who had 10 points at Pitt-Johnstown, has finished in double figures in 13 of his 15 games played this year. The Rock's leader in both made 3-pointers (29) and 3-point shooting percentage (.322), Herster gives SRU 15.4 ppg alongside 1.2 steals a game defensively.
 
• Point guard Luke Howes not only scores 9.8 points per game on an efficient .495 field goal percentage he also distributes 3.1 assists per game while making just 1.9 turnovers per game and pocketing 1.2 steals.
 
• Clifford, who is playing perhaps the best basketball of his career of late, gives SRU a much-needed veteran presence off the bench. Over 13 outings he has averaged 4.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and just under one steal a game. Most recently, Clifford finished with an impactful +18 plus/minus against Pitt-Johnstown.
 
• O'Meech Wilson is the primary true post presence in The Rock's main rotation. He's blocked a team-high 15 shots while also grabbing a Rock-best 25 offensive rebounds which has pushed his overall rebounding average up to 5.9 a game.
 
• Samoura is one of only three Rock athletes to have appeared in all 15 games this season. The ultra-athletic wing scores 4.7 points per game.
 
• When head coach Ian Grady goes deeper into his bench, he has looked to Mack Staunch (11 games, 1.6 rpg) and Michael Moore (13 blocks) inside with Bryon Ottrix 91.4 ppg) being the next perimeter player up.

ROCK TRENDS
• Over the last four games, Clifford has averaged 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 58.6 percent (17-for-29). Clifford's +/- in the previous four games is a team-best +68.
 
• Goings is shooting 61.3 percent (19-of-31) from the field over his last three games.
 
• Goings 22-point, 12-rebound double-double was the fourth of his career and his third of the season. Maceo Austin (14/10 vs. West Virginia Wesleyan) and O'Meech Wilson (12/10 vs. Bloomsburg) have SRU's other two double-doubles this year.
 
• After making just five of his first 21 3-point attempts (.238). of the season, Waters has re-grouped to hit six of his last 14 attempts from distance (.429). Waters has also made 11 consecutive free throws in the last three games.
 
• Austin has recorded multiple steals in seven of The Rock's last eight games.
 
• Howes is guiding SRU's offense to the tune of 25 assists with only six turnovers over the last six games.

GOINGS CLOSING IN ON 1,000 POINTS
In the coming weeks Jomo Goings is on pace to become the 25th athlete in program history to score 1,000 career points at The Rock. Goings has scored 933 points over his first 77 games in a SRU uniform, making him 67 points away from history.
 
At his current season average of 17.5 points per game, Goings would join the 1,000-point club at Clarion on Jan. 18. He will be the first SRU athlete to score 1,000 points since Amante Britt in 2023.
 
HOW THE ROCK COMPARES (PSAC TEAM RANKINGS)
• Scoring: 9th (77.3)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 6th (73.7)
• Scoring Margin: 7th (+3.6)
• Field Goal %: 11th (.437)
• Opponent Field Goal %: 10th (.443)
• 3pt-Field Goal %: 13th (.305)
• Opponent 3pt-Field Goal %: 11th (.340)
• 3pt Made Per Game: 10th (6.5)
• Free Throw %: 3rd (.766)
• Free Made Throws Game: 3rd (18.1)
• Rebounds Per Game: 10th (37.2)
• Rebounding Margin: 11th (+0.7)
• Turnovers Per Game: 15th (16.8)
• Opponent Turnovers Per Game: 3rd (17.9)
• Turnover Margin: 6th (+1.1)
• Steals Per Game: 2nd (10.7)
• Blocks Per Game: 1st (4.9)
 
ROCK AMONG PSAC'S BEST (INDIVIDUAL LEADERS)
Jomo Goings
• Steals: (2nd / 2.9)
• FT%: (7th / .859)
• Scoring: (8th / 17.5)
• Assists: (13th / 3.3)
• Rebounding: (16th / 6.2)
• FG%: (17th / .461)
 
Maceo Austin
• Steals: (3rd / 2.2)
• Scoring: (11th / 16.3)
• Blocks: (11th / 1.0)
• Assists: (11th / 3.4)
• FG%: (15th / .473)
• FT%: (21st / .766)
• Rebounding: (23rd / 5.5)
 
O'Meech Wilson
• Blocks: (8th / 1.2)
• Offensive Rebounding: (14th / 1.9)
• Total Rebounding: (19th / 5.9)
 
Ike Herster
• Scoring: (13th / 15.4)
• 3PT Made Per Game: (16th / 1.9)
• FT%: (16th / .792)
• FG%: (20th / .432)
• 3PFG%: (22nd / .322)
 
Luke Howes
• Assists: (14th / 3.1)
 
RECORD WATCH
Steals (7-10)
7. Jamar Scales (2005-09): 138
8. Troy Mild (1980-84): 129
9. Micah Till (2017-20): 127
10. Jomo Goings: 118
 
Made 3-Pointers (10-16)
10. C. Russell (1987-91): 101
11. Shaun Grill (2002-04): 91
12. Jomo Goings: 88
13. Eroll Robinson (2005-09): 87
t14. Ike Herster: 86
t14. Lashon Lindsey (2019-24): 86
 
Games Played (13-16)
t13. Troy Mild (1980-84): 103
t13. Dave Freeman (1998-03): 103
15. Ron Haten (1974-78): 101
t16. Bobby Clifford: 100
t16. Chuck Link (1974-78): 100
t16. Mark Metzka (1991-95): 100
 
Minutes (13-21)
13. Devin Taylor (2010-13): 2,341
14. Bobby Clifford (2021-25): 2,254
15. Maron Brown (2008-11): 2,232
16. Shannon Pullium (1984-89): 2,188
17. Mark Metzka (1991-95): 2,184
18. William Johnson - 2002-05): 2,179
19. Micah Till (2017-20): 2,170
20. Chaquille Pratt (2011-12,14-16): 2,081
21. Jomo Goings (2021-25): 2,072
 
NEXT FIVE GAMES
Jan. 11: vs. PSU New Kensington (3 p.m.)
Jan: 15: at Gannon (7:30 p.m.)
Jan. 18: at Clarion (3 p.m.)
Jan. 22: vs. Indiana (Pa.) (7:30 p.m. / White Out Night)
Jan. 29: vs. Edinboro (7:30 p.m.)
 
CALIFORNIA PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 7-8
• PSAC Record: 2-5
• PSAC West Standings: t-7th
• Home Record: 3-3
• Away Record: 3-5
• Neutral Site Record: 1-0
• Streak: L1
• Last 5 Games: 1-4
• Head Coach: Danny Sancomb | Seventh season at Cal (101-67, .601)
 
VULCAN STAT LEADERS (Per Game)
SCORING: Donald Whitehead Jr. (17.1), Cam Polak (15.3)
FG%: Keondre DeShields (.467 / 43-92)
3PT%: Whitehead Jr. (.397 / 29-73)
ASSISTS: Whitehead Jr. (3.5)
REBOUNDS: Dalman Alexander (7.8)
STEALS: Alexander (1.1)
BLOCKS: Alexander (1.1)
 
SCOUTING THE VULCANS
• After winning its first six games of the season, California has gone just 1-8 over its last nine games including a 108-71 loss to nationally ranked Gannon in its most recent game on Jan. 4.  
 
• California has been playing without opening-night starters Bryson Lucas and Keith Palek III of late. The duo combined to average 28.1 points, 15.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in their nine total games played this season. Antoine Arnett, another early-season contributor, started three of Cal's first five Division II games this year, but has not played since an 85-76 win over Millersville on Nov. 22.
 
• The bulk of the offensive responsibility for the Vulcans has fallen on the backcourt duo of Donald Whitehead Jr. (17.1 ppg) and Cam Polak (15.3 ppg). Whitehead Jr., a 39.7 percent shooter from 3-point range, also passes out 3.5 assists per game while coming away with 1.3 steals a night.
  
• After opening the year as top reserves in head coach Danny Sancomb's short rotation, Jordyn Buchanan and Dalman Alexander have both entered the starting lineup recently. Buchanan scores 9.7 ppg while Alexander leads the Vulcans in rebounding (7.8 rpg), total blocks (16) and totals steals (16) in addition to scoring 8.9 ppg.
 
• The Vulcans enter Wednesday ranked fourth in the PSAC in scoring (83.5), but also slotted near the bottom of the conference in points allowed (15th / 81.8).
 
• Offensively, California attempts a near PSAC-high 28.5 3-pointers per game. The Vulcans also make 17.3 free throws per game on a conference-best 79.0 percentage.
 
• Cal typically plays relatively mistake free with just 13.1 turnovers per game. While the Vulcans have committed more than 14 turnovers in a game just four times this season, all five of those occurrences have happened in their last five outings.
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock returns home for hits final non-conference game of the regular season 3 p.m. Saturday against Penn State New Kensington at Morrow Field House.






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