Box Score

BLOOMSBURG—Four Huskies scored in double digits as the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team dismissed the visiting Vulcans of California University of Pennsylvania, 67-65, in an exciting overtime thriller Tuesday night at Nelson Field House.

The game's early action was back-and-forth as the teams exchanged buckets through the first eight minutes. With the score tied 7-7, Cal scored six straight and carried that lead for much of the remainder of the period. Though the Huskies tied it again at 22-22, the Vulcans carried a six point lead into the intermission, 28-22.

Though Bloomsburg only connected on one of seven three-point attempts in the first half, the Huskies kept in the game by out-rebounding the Vulcans by a 21 to 12 margin in the opening period.

In the second stanza, California's hot shooting led to a 12-4 run as the Vulcans' advantage quickly swelled to 14 in just over four minutes. Trailing 26-40, the Huskies responded with four quick points by Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport, Williamsport) and another five by Lorenzo Christmas (Norristown, Norristown) to break the lead down to five points.

BU's momentum continued as John Schwarz (Delta, Perry Hall) soon connected on a pair of layups, and a three-pointer by Jesse Betar (Altoona, Altoona) completed a 18-3 run to give the Huskies their first lead of the half at 44-43.

With time waning, a layup by Jordan tied the game for the seventh time at 59-59 with just under a minute and a half to play. The teams exchanged foul shots, and with 30 seconds left, California had the last possession in regulation. Cal's Freddy Appiah's last-second three-pointer missed its mark, sending the game into overtime tied 60-60.

Once again, Bloomsburg's dominant rebounding proved vital, as the Huskies racked up 14 second-chance points in the period.

The Huskies played strong in the extra frame, winning the tip and scoring on their first two possessions. With just over a minute to play, Appiah stole the ball and slammed home a fast-break dunk to narrow Bloomsburg's edge to 66-64. A turnover by BU and foul by Jordan sent Quentin Harding to the line with a chance to tie the game. Harding connected on his first but missed the second only to have Cal come down with rebound.

Playing for last shot, a mental error by the Vulcans gave the ball back to the Huskies with 13 to play. Betar was sent to the line but only connected on one of his two shots. With BU up 67-65, Harding rebounded the shot, and Cal drove the floor to attempt to tie the game. As the final seconds ticked away, Harding was trapped in the corner and tossed up a desperate shot past two defenders. The Vulcans celebrated as the shot sailed through the basket, but the late shot was waved off by the officials. The Husky bench and those in attendance rose to their feet to salute the valiant effort of both teams as Bloomsburg walked off with their first PSAC non-division win of the season.

For Bloomsburg (4-6), Larry Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) III (Elkton, MD, Elkton) finished with a team-high 16 points and 14 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Betar shot 4 of 7 from beyond the arc and scored 13 points with five assists, while Schwarz totaled 13 points of his own. Jordan tallied 11 points and nine rebounds on the day.

For California (6-3), Steve Swiech had a game high 18 points; Harding followed with 16, and Appiah had 11.

The win marks just the third time in program history that the Bloomsburg men have defeated the Vulcans.

The Huskies continue cross-over Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) action this weekend when they travel to face Slippery Rock on Saturday, January 8, and Mercyhurst on Sunday, January 9. Both games tip off at 3 p.m.