SALEM, W.Va. (Dec. 3) – Sophomore guard Joe Berenato (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) led three players in double-figures on Wednesday, as the California University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball team registered an 82-60 win over Salem International University for its first win of the season.
The Vulcans move to 1-2 overall on the season, while the Tigers remain winless at 0-4.
Berenato scored a season and career-high 19 points in 21 minutes after making seven-of-nine attempts from the floor. The 6-3 guard made two three-pointers and collected four rebounds in the victory.
Senior swingman Julian Logan (Kalamazoo, Mich./Loy Norrix) added a season-high 17 points behind 8-of-10 shooting and grabbed five rebounds. Freshman forward Kelsey Williams (Sandusky, Ohio/Sandusky) also set a season high with 15 points after making five-of-eight shots.
The Vulcans took a quick 13-2 lead in the opening four minutes after making five of their first seven shot attempts. Cal U maintained a comfortable double-digit lead for most of the first half and mounted a 25-9 rally over the final 11:21 to take a 48-21 halftime lead. The Vulcans made 9-of-14 from attempts from the floor during the run behind a combined 17 points from Berenato and Logan.
In the second half, the Vulcans expanded their lead to as many as 37 points, 72-35, with 10:15 left in the game.
For the game, Cal U shot a season-best 59.3 percent (32-of-54) from the floor after making 18-of-30 attempts during the first half. The Vulcans capitalized on 18 turnovers by the Tigers, scoring 29 points off turnovers. Cal U held a slim 25-22 edge in rebounds after a team-high six rebounds by junior forward Chris Moore (Ellicott City, Md./Howard).
The Vulcans return to action on Saturday, Dec. 6, when they host Wheeling Jesuit University for a 7 p.m. start at Hamer Hall.
