Jan. 20, 2010

Box Score

CALIFORNIA - California, ranked No. 21 in the nation, ran out to a 19-point halftime lead on its way to a 73-53 win over visiting Clarion in PSAC-West women's basketball action Wednesday night at Cal's Hamer Hall.

The Vulcans (12-4 overall, 2-1 PSAC-West) used a 17-2 run late in the first half to build a 40-21 halftime lead and then maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half.

Shooting woes and turnovers hurt the Golden Eagles (9-7, 0-3), who shot 36.4 percent (20 of 55) from the field while committing a season-high 27 turnovers that led to 37 California points.

Lizzie Suwala led Clarion with 15 points, her 12th consecutive double-digit contest. She also had four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and a steal. Aleya Miller added a career-high 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting while chipping in a career-best five rebounds. Bethany Koch contributed eight points.

Kayla Smith paced Cal with 17 points and 15 rebounds including 11 of 13 from the free-throw line. Brooque Williams added 19 points, seven rebounds and seven steals, while Crystal Andrews added 11 points, four rebounds and six steals.

Clarion returns to action at 1 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Slippery Rock. California is at Edinboro Saturday also at 1 p.m.

NOTES - Suwala's 12 straight games in double digits is the longest double-digit stretch in a single season at Clarion since Katrina Greer did it in 15 straight contests during the 2007-08 campaign ... Miller's previous high in points was two, twice in her career including vs. Gannon Saturday. Her previous high in rebounds was four at Bloomsburg Jan. 11, 2009.