SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University men's basketball team concludes its regular season schedule 3 p.m. Saturday on the road at California (Pa.).
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Video and live in-game statistics for Saturday's game will be provided free of charge by California at the below links.
 
GAME 28 DETAILS
Opponent: California (Pa.)
Date: Saturday – 3 p.m.
Location: California, Pennsylvania
Venue: Convocation Center
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-game Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
 
SERIES HISTORY vs. CALIFORNIA
Overall: Cal leads 95-90
Current Streak: CAL W5
at the Convocation Center: Tied at 8-8
First Meeting: Jan. 17, 1920 (SRU won 37-9)
Last Meeting: Jan. 24, 2026 (CAL won 86-75)
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: 5-10
California coach Danny Sancomb vs. SRU: 10-5
 
The Vulcans have captured five straight games from The Rock to improve their record in the all-time series, which traces back to 1920, to 95-90.
 
Slippery Rock's last win in the series came over a then-ranked 13th California team at Morrow Field House on Jan. 13, 2024. In addition to snapping an overall losing streak in the series, Slippery Rock will look to turn around its fortunes inside the Convocation Center where they have not won since 2022.
 
SLIPPERY ROCK - CALIFORNIA ROUND 1 (Box Score)
Slippery Rock lost a home PSAC West game to California (Pa.), 86-75, Jan. 24 at Morrow Field House.
 
As a team, SRU shot 38.3 percent (31-of-81) from the field overall, including an 8-of-25 (.320) day from 3-point range. The Rock also converted 5-of-8 free throw attempts. Slippery Rock made just 11 turnovers in the loss, its second lowest total in 2025-26.
 
Slippery Rock held a +6 (47-41) rebounding margin thanks in no small part to 20 offensive rebounds, the team's second highest such total this year. The Rock converted their sizable offensive rebound tally into 18 second chance points.
 
Kerwin Prince led The Rock with a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included four steals and three assists.
 
Cal left Morrow Field House shooting 46.4 percent (26-for-56) overall despite making just two of its 14 3-point attempts (.143). The Vulcans made the most of their trips to the foul line, hitting on 32-of-41 free throws (.780). 
 
California jumped out to a 16-8 lead over the game's opening seven minutes, establishing an edge they never relinquished. The Vulcans went on to grow their lead out to as many as 17 points early in the second half. Slippery Rock made several spirited rally bids including a 15-6 run in the middle stages of the second half that brought The Rock to within six points, but was ultimately unable to complete the comeback in an eventual 11-point loss.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock earned a hard-fought 83-73 win over Edinboro to close out its time at Morrow Field House in 2025-26. The Vulcans meanwhile downed rival IUP, 78-60.
 
RECORDS
Slippery Rock heads to California in possession of a 16-11 overall record and a 9-10 mark inside the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. California welcomes The Rock at 19-7 overall and 16-3 in league competition.
 
WE'RE IN
No matter the result of Saturday's game Slippery Rock has already secured a spot in the upcoming PSAC Tournament. SRU will be making its ninth consecutive trip to the postseason.
 
BUT STILL A LOT TO PLAY FOR
While The Rock are assured of a spot in the PSAC Tournament, Saturday's game is far from a meaningless endeavor.
 
All six of the berths into the PSAC Tournament from the Western Division are locked up, but seeding has only been decided for the top three teams.
 
Gannon (18-1) and the Vulcans (16-3) are locked in as the top two seeds out of the PSAC West and as such will receive opening-round byes. As the third seed, IUP (15-4) earned a guaranteed home game in the first round against the sixth seed from the PSAC West.
 
After that, the fourth, fifth and sixth seeds will be decided between The Rock, Edinboro and Seton Hill.
 
Edinboro and Seton Hill meet Saturday in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The winner of that game earns the fourth seed for the conference tournament.
 
If Slippery Rock defeats California it will get the fifth seed and play the winner of the Fighting Scots – Griffins game on the road in the first round. A loss to the Vulcans puts Slippery Rock in the sixth seed, setting up an opening-round road game at IUP. The first round of the PSAC Tournament will be conducted March 2.

SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 16-11
• PSAC Record: 9-10
• PSAC West Standings: t-4th
• Home Record: 11-5
• Away Record: 5-6
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 2-3
• Head Coach: Ian Grady | Eighth season (115-87)
 
EDINBORO RECAP (Box Score)
Slippery Rock used a complete all-around team effort to earn a 73-63 victory over Edinboro Wednesday at Morrow Field House. The win combined with Clarion's loss against Gannon officially guaranteed The Rock of a spot in the PSAC Tournament.
 
Collectively, Slippery Rock shot 41.3 percent (26-of-63) overall, 41.7 percent (5-of-12) from 3-point range and a solid 72.7 percent (16-of-22) at the foul line. SRU dominated the glass for a +13 (47-34) rebounding margin. Included in the 47 rebounds were 17 offensive boards that were turned into 18 second chance points.
 
Defensively, Slippery Rock limited Edinboro to a 34.4 percent (21-of-61) field goal percentage, including a 9-of-35 showing from 3-point territory. The Fighting Scots, which entered the contest leading the PSAC in turnovers per game, were forced into 14 miscues Wednesday – its third highest single-game total this season.
 
Following a back-and-forth opening half, Slippery Rock scored five straight points to open the second half to grab a lead it would keep for the duration of regulation.
 
SRU led for nearly 30 minutes (28:17) as it earned a season-split with Edinboro. Slippery Rock has now lost to Edinboro at Morrow Field House just two times in the last decade (9-2). Head coach Ian Grady is 12-2 against the Fighting Scots over his career. 

MAYO GOES FOR SEASON-HIGH vs. SCOTS
Slippery Rock turned to Brady Mayo to shoulder the majority of the offensive load against Edinboro. The freshman responded by turning in a season-high 22 points for what was his eighth double-digit point outing in the last 10 games. Defensively, Mayo also pocketed two steals against Edinboro.
 
Mayo enters the California game ranked third on the team in both scoring (10.7 ppg) and steals (1.3 spg). His 288 points scored are the seventh most by a freshman in program history.
 
15 STRAIGHT AT THE LINE FOR MAYO
Helping Mayo reach his season-high scoring total against Edinboro was a 5-for-5 performance at the foul line. Mayo has now made 15 consecutive free throws over the last four games. If he makes his next two foul shots he will tie Jon Valeriano – The Rock's top assistant coach – for 10th place on SRU's all-time consecutive made free throw list. Valeriano made 15 straight foul shots during his senior year at Slippery Rock in 2011-12.
 
The 15 straight free throws have upped Mayo's percentage at the line to 86.7 percent - the third best percentage in the PSAC. If the season ended today, Mayo would own the fourth best single-season free throw percentage in program history (minimum 75 attempts).
 
Top Single-Season FT% at SRU (Min. 75 Attempts)
1. Louie Moore (1998-99): .891 (82-92)
2. William Johnson (2004-05): .878 (115-131)
3. Larry Deemer (1970-71): .877 (150-171)
4. Brady Mayo (2025-26): .867 (72-83)
 
LITTLEJOHN MAKES MOST OF 1ST START
Redshirt freshman guard Brady Mayo earned his first collegiate start in the Edinboro win and promptly turned in a great 16-point, six-assist, three-rebound, two-steal performance in which he shot 5-for-11 from the field overall, 1-of-1 from 3-point range and 5-of-5 at the foul line. He set season-bests in both points and assists.
 
After the missing the middle stages of the season due to injury, Littlejohn has been a spark for The Rock during the stretch run of the season. He's currently averaging 6.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 83.9 percent at the foul line.
 
DANGEROUS DUO
In their lone season playing together, Kerwin Prince and Isaac James have proven to be formidable forward duo for The Rock. Prince averages 11.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 59.1 percent from the field. James adds 10.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game to go with a .486 field goal percentage.
 
Prince is the PSAC's fourth-leading rebounder.
 
Just as impressive is the work on the offensive glass that Prince and James do. Slippery Rock is the only team in the PSAC with two athletes ranked among the league's top 12 offensive rebounders in Prince (4th / 3.2 orpg) and James (9th / 2.3 orpg).
 
Only one other Rock pairing have combined to average more offensive rebounds per game than Prince and James over the last six seasons: Tyler Frederick and Jonathan McFall averaged 6.5 orpg in 2021-22.
 
Top Offensive Rebounds Duo at SRU (Since 2019-20)
1. Tyler Frederick / Jonathan McFall (2021-22): 6.5
2. Kerwin Prince / Isaac James (2025-26): 5.5
3. Will Robinson Jr. / Micah Till (2019-20): 4.6
4. Lashon Lindsey / Maceo Austin (2023-24): 4.4
5. Khalid Gates / Jonathan McFall (2022-23): 4.1
6. Maceo Austin / O'Meech Wilson (2024-25): 3.9
 
HILL RETURNING TO FORM
After missing nearly two months of the season due to injury, Elijah Hill has returned to the rotation over the last two games and is picking up where he left off in early January. Hill, who averages 10.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on the year, was in the starting lineup for the 16th this season overall against Edinboro and just missed out on a double-double following a nine-point, eight-rebound, one-steal effort.
 
MONSTER MINTUES FROM STAUNCH
Mack Staunch played one of the better games of collegiate career as part of the Edinboro. Off the bench, Staunch provided SRU with invaluable minutes on the way to finishing with six points, one steal and a career-high 11 rebounds. Five of Staunch's rebounds came on the offensive glass. 29 of his 50 rebounds this season have been of the offensive variety.
 
GRIGGS MAKING EVERYONE BETTER
Another of the key contributors against Edinboro was guard Alex Griggs. Off the bench, the veteran reserve played 19 minutes and finished with a team-best +/- (the measure of a team's point differential when on the court) of +16. Other Rock athletes with double-digit +/- against Edinboro was Elijah Hill (+11) and Kerwin Prince (+10).

EFFORT ON THE GLASS SHOWS UP IN THE WIN COLUMN
Slippery Rock is 15-2 when holding a positive rebounding margin in games this season. SRU is ranked third in the PSAC in total rebounding (38.9) and fourth in rebounding margin (+4.0). Against Edinboro, The Rock controlled the glass against Edinboro at +13 (47-34).
 
Like Slippery Rock, California is also a PSAC elite rebounding team as the Vulcans rank fourth in rebounding inside the conference (38.8 rpg). In the first meeting of the season between the two, SRU edged the Vulcans in the battle of the board (47-41). Among The Rock's 47 total rebounds were 20 on the offensive glass.
 
MISSES TURNED INTO MOMENTUM
Slippery Rock has logged double-digit second chance point totals in 21 of 27 games this season. SRU is currently averaging 13.6 second chance points per game this season, well up from its 2024-25 average of 11.7.
 
SRU is 13-5 when earning 11 or more second chance points in a game, but just 3-6 when closing a contest with 10 or less. The Rock had 18 second chance points in the Edinboro win as well as 18 in the loss to California earlier in the season.
 
DEFENSE CREATES OFFENSE
Through 27 games, SRU is scoring 14.8 points off turnovers per game, which if maintained through the end of the season would represent the fifth highest such average inside the program over the last 12 years. Slippery Rock had 16 points off 14 Edinboro turnovers Wednesday.
 
Slippery Rock has averaged 17.1 points off turnovers per game in its 16 wins this year, up from 11.5 in its 11 losses.
 
The Vulcans do not topically provide their opposition with many chances to score off miscues as they rank fifth in the PSAC in turnovers at 12.1 per game. California committed just 10 turnovers at SRU earlier in the year, of which The Rock scored four points from.
 
SRU's Highest Points Off Turnover Averages (Last 12 Years)
1. 2018-19: 17.8
2. 2024-25: 16.8
3. 2021-22: 15.9
4. 2019-20: 15.1
5. 2025-26: 14.8
6. 2022-23: 14.5
7. 2014-15: 13.1
8. 2017-18: 12.9
9. 2023-24: 11.4
10. 2015-16: 11.3
11. 2016-17: 10.3
 
KEEP IT UNDER 80
Slippery Rock is a near perfect 15-1 when holding opponents to under 80 points, but just 1-10 in high-scoring (80+) contests. California has been held under 80 points in 10 games this season overall, going 5-5 in such contests.
 
GET A LEAD, KEEP A LEAD
Slippery Rock is a perfect 16-0 in 2025-26 when holding a lead or being tied at halftime, but 0-11 when trailing after 20 minutes. California led SRU 43-31 at halftime of the Jan. 28 meeting.
 
ROUNDING OUT THE ROSTER
• RJ Sledge has started 15 of his 26 games played this year. He provides SRU with 7.5 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals a contest.
 
• Sledge ranks 18th in the PSAC in both steals and assist-turnover ratio (1.4). In terms of SRU single-season rookie rankings, Sledge ranks fourth on the list in assists, seventh in steals and seventh in made 3-poitners.
 
• Dame Givner has started 25 games this year. SRU's No. 3 freshman scorer all-time, Givner averages 15.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He shoots 44.6 percent from the field, 37 percent from 3-point range and 79.2 percent at the foul line.
 
• Sheick Samoura has been used primarily as a reserve in his 23 games played this season. His 22 blocks still rank 12th in the PSAC. Samoura also averages 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
 
• Backup forward Enire Bowens has already set career-highs in games played (18), rebounds (23), points (10) and steals (3).
 
• Ike Herster appeared in 14 of SRU's first 17 games this season with per game averages of 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Herster, who is closing in on 1,000 points in a Rock uniform, has shot 43.7 percent overall, 37.3 percent from 3-point range and 84.3 percent at the foul line.
 
• Maceo Austin and freshman Kent Hairston have both played in three games this year. One of the most talented athletes in the Atlantic Region, Austin is a career 16.7 points per game scorer who has averaged 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals a game in 2025-26.
 
HOW THE ROCK COMPARES (PSAC TEAM RANKINGS)
• Scoring: 10th (78.4)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 12th (77.9)
• Scoring Margin: 9th (+0.5)
• Field Goal %: 10th (.463)
• Opponent Field Goal %: 5th (.434)
• 3pt-Field Goal %: 12th (.321)
• Opponent 3pt-Field Goal %: 2nd (.286)
• 3pt Made Per Game: 14th (6.0)
• Free Throw %: 12th (.699)
• Free Throws Made Per Game: 6th (15.2)
• Rebounds Per Game: 3rd (39.5)
• Rebounding Margin: 4th (+4.1)
• Turnovers Per Game: 15th (16.2)
• Opponent Turnovers Per Game: 8th (13.5)
• Turnover Margin: 14th (-2.7)
• Steals Per Game: 8th (8.1)
 
RECORD WATCH
Points By a Freshman at SRU
1. Myron Brown (1987-88): 516
2. Ian Folmar (1996-97): 418
3. Dame Givner (2025-26): 397
4. Herm Willis (1983-84): 345
5. Jamar Scales (2005-06): 334
6. Troy Mild (1980-81): 328
7. Brady Mayo (2025-26): 288
 
Points By a Transfer at SRU (4-12)
4-Devin Taylor (LaRoche / 2010-13): 1,143
5-Troy Miller (Cleveland State / 1991-94): 1,139
6-Ike Herster (Gannon / 2023-Active): 995
7-Tabari Perry (Cecil / 2014-14): 956
8-Paul Gilbert (Alvernia / 1994-97): 888
9-Jabril Bailey (Campbell / 2009-11): 878
10-Louie Moore (Eastern Kentucky / 1997-00): 863
11-Doug Zimmerman (Penn State Behrend / 1970-72): 860
12-Maceo Austin (Duquesne / 2023-Active): 819
 
Made 3-Pointers (3-7)
3-Mark Metzka (100 Games, 1991-95): 182
4-William Johnson (73 Games, 2002-05): 139
5-Michael Evans Jr. (52 Games, 2008-10): 130
6-Jared Armstrong (50 Games, 2018-20): 124
7-Ike Herster (72 Games, 2023-Active): 116
 
Blocks (10-14)
t10-Devin Taylor (86 Games, 2010-13): 73
t10-Luiz Santos (58 Games, 2011-13): 73
12-James Richardson (52 Games, 1998-00): 69
13-Sheick Samoura (76 Games, 2023-Active): 64
14-Jamal Gatali (54 Games, 2014-16): 62
 
Steals (12-15)
12-Joe Vines (111 Games, 2005-11): 108
13-Louie Moore (77 Games, 1998-00, 01-03): 106
14-Dave Johnson (77 Games, 2001-04): 102
t15-Glenn Reepmeyer (104 Games, 2002-07): 98
t15-Lashon Lindsey (116 Games, 1994-97): 98
t15-Maceo Austin (49 Games, 2023-Active): 98
 
CALIFORNIA PRIMER
• Stats: Link
• Roster: Link
• Overall Record: 19-7
• PSAC Record: 16-3
• PSAC West Standings: 2nd
• Home Record: 11-1
• Away Record: 8-5
• Neutral Site Record: 0-1
• Streak: W1
• Last 5 Games: 4-1
• Head Coach: Danny Sancomb | 18th season overall (347-193)
 
LAAST 5 GAMES
At Seton Hill: W (83-48)
vs. Clarion: W (103-86)
at Pitt-Johnstown: W (84-80)
at Edinboro: (L, 85-77)
vs. #24 IUP: W (78-60)
 
VULCAN LEADERS (Per Game)
SCORING: Bryson Lucas (17.2), Jordyn Buchanan (15.5)
FG%: Dalman Alexander (.600 / 87-145)
3PT%: Buchanan (.381 / 69-181)
ASSISTS: Brayden Reynolds (4.4)
REBOUNDS: Lucas (9.5)
STEALS: Lucas (2.0)
BLOCKS: Alexander (1.6)
 
HOW CALIFORNIA COMPARES (PSAC TEAM RANKINGS)
• Scoring: 5th (82.6)
• Points Allowed Per Game: 6th (74.5)
• Scoring Margin: 6th (+8.2)
• Field Goal %: 1st (.506)
• Opponent Field Goal %: 2nd (.418)
• 3pt-Field Goal %: 11th (.326)
• Opponent 3pt-Field Goal %: 9th (.330)
• 3pt Made Per Game: 16th (5.7)
• Free Throw %: 15th (.671)
• Free Throws Made Per Game: 5th (15.6)
• Rebounds Per Game: 4th (38.8)
• Rebounding Margin: 7th (+3.1)
• Turnovers Per Game: 5th (12.1)
• Opponent Turnovers Per Game: 11th (12.5)
• Turnover Margin: 8th (+0.4)
• Steals Per Game: 10th (7.5)
 
UP NEXT
Slippery Rock plays a first-round game of the 2025-26 PSAC Tournament on the road March 2 against an opponent yet to be decided at a time yet to be determined.





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