CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The men's basketball team dropped a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover game to California (Pa.) by a final tally of 94-72 on Sunday.
 
The Huskies (0-7, 0-3 PSAC) kept up with the Vulcans (4-5, 1-2 PSAC) for a majority of the first half and trailed by two points with just over two minutes to play in the opening frame. However, California (Pa.) ended the first half on a 9-0 scoring run to make it an 11-point game at the break, and the Vulcans were able to extend their lead in the second half en route to their 22-point victory.
 
Matt Bengel (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep) was a bright spot for the Huskies despite the loss, and the sophomore had a career day by scoring a career-high 25 points in 29 minutes off the bench. The 6-4 guard's offensive performance kept the Huskies within striking distance during the first half as he scored 14 of his team's 35 points.
 
In the early goings of the contest, the game was tied up at 5-5 before California (Pa.) went on a 17-3 scoring run to go up by double digits. Bloomsburg battled back throughout the remainder of the half, however, and a three-pointer by Bengel with 2:12 remaining made it a two-point game at 37-35. The Vulcans then responded with their nine-point scoring run to go back up by double digits, and the home team never looked back. California (Pa.) led by as much as 27 points in the second half and were able to snap a two-game losing skid with the victory.
 
Bengel led the team with his 25 points and he was 10-17 from the field, which included 2-6 from beyond the arc. Bengel also added eight rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jake Nelson (West Chester, Pa./West Chester Rustin) was one point and one rebound shy of a double-double, totaling nine points and nine boards.
 
Desmond Freeman (Greensboro, N.C./Southeast Guilford) knocked down four three-point field goals and finished with 16 points. Cam Villarouel (Cumming, GA/State College (PA)) also finished in double figures with 13 points.
 
The Huskies finished the game shooting 43.5% from the floor and outrebounded the Vulcans 39-35. Bloomsburg also had more second-chance points, finishing with 14 opposed to the nine scored by California (Pa.).
 
Two advantages for California (Pa.) were their points in the paint (36) and points off turnovers (20). The Vulcans also shot the ball 50% from the floor (33-66).
 
Bloomsburg will conclude its two-game road trip with an away game at Slippery Rock (8-1, 2-1 PSAC) on Monday. The game is scheduled to tip off at 3:00 PM after the women's game.