Seton Hill hosted California (PA) in an important PSAC West and Atlantic Regional matchup on Wednesday evening in the McKenna Center.
The Vulcans outscored the Griffins by eight points over the final two quarters in route to a 60-51 victory. SHU drops to 20-8 overall and 14-5 in PSAC play while the Vulcans improved to 18-4 overall and 13-4 in PSAC play.
Samantha Kosmacki gave hte Griffins an early 3-2 lead with a three pointer at the 8:23 mark. The teams then exchanged leads over the next three minutes with SHU holding an 8-6 lead after another Kosmacki three pointer. The Vulcans took a 15-12 lead into the second quarter.
California scored the first five points of the second quarter and led 20-12 with 3:44 to play in the half. Four straight from
Christiane Frye followed by a
Katie Nolan layup and another Kosmacki three pointer put the Griffins back in front 21-20 with 1:11 to go. Cal scored the final basket of the half to take a 22-21 lead into the halftime break.
Rena Enterline drilled a three pointer to give the Griffins a 24-22 lead just seconds into the second half. The teams then exchanged baskets over the next four minutes and the game was tied at 30 midway through the quarter. The Vulcans used an advantage at the free throw line to build their lead over the rest of the quarter as they led 42-35 heading to the fourth quarter. The Vulcans shot six free throws in the quarter while the Griffins did not get a trip to the free throw line.
The Vulcans scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 46-35. The lead pushed to 13 at 52-39 with 5:52 to play.
Sonia Sarda connected on a three pointer and followed that with a layup as SHU cut the lead to 52-44. Nolan followed with a basket and SHU trailed 52-46 with 4:14 to play. A basket and a free throw from
Cheyenne Trest cut the advantage to five with just over a minute to play but the Vulcans hit six of six free throws down the stretch to put the game away.
Frye was the lone Griffin to reach double figures with 15 points, She added five rebounds, four steals and two assists. Kosmacki and Trest each just missed double figures with nine points. Nolan finished with eight points and 16 rebounds.
SHU will continue PSAC West play on Saturday evening at IUP.