BLOOMSBURG, Pa. - The Bloomsburg women's basketball team dropped its opening contest of action in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) on Saturday in a 70-59 defeat against California (Pa.).

The Huskies (4-2, 0-1 PSAC) fought all afternoon against the Vulcans (4-6, PSAC), only finding a lead momentarily in the second quarter. Bloomsburg managed to pull the game within two possessions on several occasions in an effort to mount a comeback, a push that would not come to fruition due to timely shotmaking by California down the stretch.

Ava Stevenson (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) bore the brunt of the offensive workload for the Huskies on the afternoon, recording a season-high 20 points. The fifth-year guard added five rebounds, two steals, and two assists on the box score. Lex Ferguson (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) matched a career best with nine points on Saturday, doing so on an efficient four-of-six shooting performance while grabbing a career-high six rebounds and tallying a block. 

How It Happened:
The Vulcans started the night in contrast to their recent shooting form, knocking down a three-point shot from Macy Sardone on the opening possession to give the side a boost of confidence. Alicia Young would go on to score on a fastbreak layup for a quick 5-0 lead for the away team. Stevenson's night began with her first of three makes from behind the arc before setting up Alison Hatajik (Duncansville, Pa./Hollidaysburg) in the paint to tie the game at 5-5.

The two teams would go on to trade baskets for a two-minute stretch, with Maddie LaFrance (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) helping her team's cause with a triple. Young went on to record Cal's next seven points as the Vulcans would go up four points with under three minutes to play in the opening quarter. A quick two inside for Cal was answered with the first bucket of the night for Ferguson to make it 18-14. Both defenses would settle in for the final two minutes of the first, as the score would hold heading into the second quarter.

Bloomsburg came out with its best foot forward to begin the second, utilizing a 10-0 run to go up 24-20. Leah Kale (Spring Grove, Pa./Spring Grove) stepped outside to knock down a three-pointer before contributions from Maddison Maynard (Lansford, Pa./Panther Valley) and five points from Stevenson. The Vulcans found their response with good ball movement along the perimeter, as the team's next three made baskets came from behind the arc to reaffirm their lead at 31-28 with under four minutes to play in the first half. Cal closed the half on an 11-4 run to take a 39-32 advantage into halftime.

Needing an answer of their own, the Huskies would work the deficit back down to four points inside the opening four minutes of the second half. Bloomsburg relied on its own ball movement to create scoring opportunities, with the team recording an assist on its first three baskets of the third quarter, including a three-pointer from Kelly Leszcynski (Nazareth, Pa./Nazareth) tomake it 43-39. Despite the intent of Hatajik in the paint, the Vulcans would extend their advantage past two possessions, holding onto a 56-45 with 10 minutes remaining. 

The Huskies began the fourth quarter similarly to the second, with a renewed energy to once again make it a two-possession game, coming in at 58-54 with just over six minutes to play. Bloomsburg got its scoring contributions from its bench, as Ferguson and Maynard combined for six points during a 9-2 run. The Huskies' comeback hopes, however, would be plagued by an over three-minute drought to open the door for a 9-0 run for the Vulcans and allow the visitors to pull away and come out on top with a double-digit point victory.

Numbers of Note: 
5 - All five members of the Vulcans' starting lineup produced when called upon on Saturday. The starters for the visitors each finished with at least 10 points, combining for 68 of the team's 70 points.

38.7 | 37.8 - The Huskies' defeat on Saturday can in part be explained by the team's worst shooting performance of the season. Bloomsburg finished a season-low 38.7 percent from the floor, making 37.8 percent of its two-point attempts. The Huskies are 0-2 on the 2025-26 campaign when shooting 40 percent or less from the field.

On the Horizon:
The Huskies return to the court on Tuesday, December 16, at 5:30 p.m. for a road trip to take on Pitt-Johnstown in PSAC play.