Lance-Amir Paul vs. Mercyhurst
Ed Mailliard
59
Gannon GAN-M 8-5, 5-4 PSAC
80
Winner California (PA) CAL-M 12-4, 7-3 PSAC
Gannon GAN-M
8-5, 5-4 PSAC
59
Final
80
California (PA) CAL-M
12-4, 7-3 PSAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Gannon GAN-M 23 36 59
California (PA) CAL-M 45 35 80

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Paul Notches Game-High 24 Points But Big First Half Run Dooms Gannon at Cal

CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) scored a game-high 24 points but it was not enough to overcome a huge run by Cal in the first half as Gannon dropped an 80-59 decision to the Vulcans on Monday night. Gannon is now 8-5 overall following back-to-back losses, along with 5-4 in the PSAC West. A streaking Cal team, fresh off an upset at 11th-ranked Mercyhurst on Saturday, improved to 12-4 and 7-3, respectively.

The early portion of the game went back-and-forth, with Gannon maintaining a 15-14 lead five minutes into the game on an Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) 3-pointer. It would turn out to be the only basket of the game for the 6'6" redshirt freshman.

Cal followed with the next 12 points, part of a 18-2 run. The Vulcans suddenly led 32-17 with just under nine minutes to play. The Golden Knights would have to play catch-up the rest of the night. Cal held a 45-23 lead at the half. Gannon ended the first 20 minutes at 28.6 percent from the floor (8 of 28). Paul made 3 of 6 field goals, but no other Knight scored more than a basket.

Gannon would battle the Vulcans on even terms in the second half, outscoring them 36-35. The Golden Knights used their own spurt – an 18-5 run – to pull within 18 points at 68-50, but they would get no closer the rest of the way. 

Paul came in as Gannon's leading scorer and recorded his fourth game of 20-or-more points with the 24-point effort. The 6'0" redshirt sophomore made 9 of 16 shots, including 2 of 6 3-pointers, and was 4 of 5 from the line. He added a team high eight rebounds.

Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) was also in double figures with 13 points, making 5 of 8 field goals. No other Knight scored more than six points.

Cal came in with a starting five that were all averaging in double figures, including two of the top five scorers in the PSAC. All five starters reached double digits, accounting for 70 of the team's 80 points. Philip Alston entered the game leading the PSAC both in scoring and rebounding, and ended the night with team-highs of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Brent Pegram, the fifth-leading scorer in the conference, was one of three players to score 12 points.

Preston Boswell had 16 points and six assists, while Zyan Collins and Keith Palek III scored 12 points apiece for Cal.

Thanks to shooting nearly 50 percent in the second half, Gannon ended the night at 38.6 percent (22 of 57). The Golden Knights made 4 of 19 3-pointers while converting 11 of 16 free throws. Cal shot 50.0 percent from the floor (31 of 62), making 6 of 20 3-pointers and 12 of 18 free throws.

Gannon came in as one of the top rebounding teams in the conference, but Cal held a 42-30 advantage on the glass. It's just the third time Gannon has been outrebounded this year. Gannon turned the ball over 18 turnovers and Cal 16.

Gannon will make a long-awaited return to the Hammermill Center on Wednesday, hosting Clarion. The Golden Knights have not played a home game since January 5. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.
 
 
 
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