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News -> Releases ->
- California Men's Basketball
Advances to Elite Eight
- (March 18, 2008)
(Courtesy of California Sports Information)
Top seed California
(PA) (28-5) advanced to its first Elite Eight since
1996 with a 64-52 victory over Millersville (22-10)
in the NCAA Division II East Regional Final at
California University of Pennsylvania’s Hamer Hall.
The Vulcans advance to Springfield, Mass where they
will take on Alaska Anchorage in the National
Quarterfinal. California and Alaska Anchorage will
be sending both their men’s and women’s team to the
Division II Elite Eight.
Both teams got off to a slow start in the game with
California missing its first three shots and
Millersville missing its first four shots. Alioune
Mbaye got the Vulcans on the scoreboard with a layup
and RayQuan Miles hit a jumper to get the Marauders
started. California led 10-5 at the 14:18 minute
mark when the Millersville bench was accessed a
technical foul. Cal rallied off four points in a row
after the technical on free throws by Ron Banks and
a layup by Mbaye to lead 14-5. Cal extended that
lead to 20-12 on a layup by Julian Logan.
Millersville responded with a 12-1 run over the next
5 minutes to take a 24-21 lead with 6:43 to play in
the half. Mbaye got the lead back for the Vulcans,
29-26, with 4 free throws around a layup by James
Hairston, at the three minute mark. The Marauders
closed the half on a 7-0 run capped off by a three
pointer at the buzzer by Charlie Parker to lead
33-29 at the half.
Bernard Brown finished the half with 12 points for
Millersville. The Marauders shot 46% from the field
and 7-8 from the free throw line. California was led
by Ron Banks 12 points. The Vulcans shot 47% from
the field and were just 11-17 from the free throw
line in the first half.
California came out of the locker room on fire,
starting the half with 9 straight points on layups
by Mbaye and Jesse Brooks, a three pointer by Banks
and a jumper by Hairston to take a 38-33 lead with
17:01 to play in the second half. The run continued
as the Vulcans outscored the Marauders, 14-2 over
the first seven minutes of the half, taking a 43-35
lead. Millersville start was not as good as they
started the second half 1 of 12 from the field.
Millersville stayed in the game, shooting 7-11 from
the free throw line as they trailed 50-46 with 7
minutes remaining. The game remained within six
points over the next 5 minutes until Theron Colao
hit a three pointer to put the Vulcans up 59-50 with
2:17 to play. The Vulcans closed the game out from
the free throw line, hitting 5-6 over the last two
minutes to secure the victory.
Ron Banks scored a game high 27 points and pulled
down 7 rebounds for California. James Hairston and
Alioune Mbaye each added 11 points. Millersville was
led by Bernard Brown who scored 16 points. Reggie
Bates added 14 and Charlie Parker tossed in 9.
The All Tournament Team for the East Regional
includes:
MVP: Ron Banks (California)
Alioune Mbaye (California)
Reggie Bates (Millersville)
Jimmy Williams (Alderson Broaddus)
Chris Gilliam (Pitt Johnstown)
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