California University is represented by both its men’s and women’s team in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.  It is the first time a men’s and women’s team from the same institution in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference have both advanced to the Elite Eight.  California men (28-5) will face Alaska-Anchorage (28-5) on March 26th at 2:30 pm in Springfield, Mass.  The women's squad (27-6) will face off against the nation’s only undefeated team in Delta State (32-0) on March 26^th at 6:00 pm (Central Time) in Kearny, Neb.

Men's

California stormed through the regular season as its only conference loss came in an 80-77 overtime loss to Edinboro.  The tie forced California to share the regular season PSAC West title but the late season setback didn’t slow the Vulcans down as they rolled to win three straight and captured the PSAC title in the process.  California then earned the top seed in the East region.  The Vulcans took full advantage of the opportunity to host the regional, with  California beating Queens by a score of 75-54 in the quarterfinals, and followed that performance with a come-from-behind victory over Alderson-Broaddus (72-67) to force a match-up with conference opponent Millersville in the championship contest.  The Vulcans took their second victory of the year from the Marauders with a 64-52 victory.

The Vulcans now have their sights set on first-round opponent Alaska-Anchorage.  The Seawolves also have both their men’s and women’s basketball teams in the Elite Eight.  California is led by Ron Banks and his 15.4 points per contest.  Banks is accompanied by Ali Mbaye (12.3 ppg) and Theron Colao (10.4 ppg).  James Hairston pitches in 9.5 points per contest while Mbaye leads the team with 8.1 boards per game.  Banks and Mbaye were named to the East Region All-Tournament team.  The Vulcans well-rounded attack will look to continue their roll as they look to advance into the Final Four and a take a shot at their first national title and second in PSAC men’s history (Cheyney, 1979).
 

	Ali Mbaye - Forward/Center (Sr, 6-6, 240, Dakar, Senegal/Oakland C.C.) 12.3 ppg 8.1 rpg 58.4 FG percentage Accolades: All-PSAC West First Team, All-East Region Tournament Team, Daktronics East Region Daktronic Second Team
	Ron Banks - Forward (Sr, 6-5, 235, Lansing, Mich./Lansing C.C.) 15.6 ppg 6.9 rpg 58.2 FG percentage   Accolades: All-PSAC West First Team, PSAC Tournament MVP, All-East Region Tournament Team & MVP, Daktronics East Region Second Team
	James Hairston - Guard (Sr, 6-3, 175, Connellsville/Allegheny (Md.) C.C.) 9.5 ppg 3.0 rpg 53.5 FG percentage   Accolades: Second Team All-PSAC

Women’s

California had a three-game skid through the middle of the regular season, losing back-to-back-to-back divisional games.  Its first loss came to eventual PSAC Champion IUP, 65-57 in overtime.  The Vulcans then dropped their next contest to Edinboro, 70-65, and followed it up with a 72-71 heartbreaker at Clarion.  Head coach Darcie Vincent rallied her team, pulling off seven straight victories to help the squad earn a share of the PSAC West regular season title and a spot in the PSAC tournament finals before falling to host IUP, 67-63, in the championship game.  Entering the East Region tournament as the second seed, California started another winning streak as it defeated Millersville in the opening round, 70-54, and advanced to the championship game with a 68-55 victory over Anderson.  In the finals, California posted an 86-71 decision over Shephred.

The Vulcans will now turn their attention to Delta State.  The Lady Statesmen hold the nation’s only undefeated record (32-0), boasting three National Championships and a runner-up finish in their history.  However, the Lady Statesmen haven’t reached the Final Four since 2001.  The Vulcans have a National Championship to their credit, as they took home the 2004 crown.  The team’s leading scorer Brooque Williams (17.8) guides a solid offensive attack to a squad that averages 77.6 points per game.  Freshman sensation Kayla Smith provides 15.4 points per game to support Williams.  The well-rounded attack is capped off by Shaquetta Mance (10.2) and Crystal Andrews (10). 
 

	Brooque Williams - Guard (So, 5-8, Pittsburgh/Perry) 17.8 ppg 7.9 rpg 53.2 FG percentage Accolades: All-PSAC West First Team, Daktronics First Team, East Region All-Tournament Team
	Kayla Smith - Forward (Fr, 5-11, Elkins, W. Va./Elkins) 15.4 ppg 7.7 rpg 52.5 FG percentage   Accolades: All-PSAC West First Team, PSAC West Rookie of the Year
	Crystal Andrews - Forward (Jr, 5-7, Johnstown/Pitt-Johnstown) 10.0 ppg 4.6 rpg 40.5 FG percentage   Accolades: All-PSAC West Second Team