HTML Box Score
By Joe Mattis
ERIE, PA – Stephanie Michael’s driving layup with 5 seconds remaining Saturday evening lifted the California (Pa.) Vulcans to a pulsating 81-79 win over the Glenville State Pioneers and a berth in the NCAA Division II Atlantic championship game.
The Vulcans (22-8), who never trailed, called a timeout with the score tied at 79 and 29 seconds on the clock. They then ran a play called by coach Jess Strom and got it to their 5-7 senior who scored the game winner.
“It was one of the plays we’ve been doing all year,” Strom said. “She’s a senior who made some shots. Who better than to take that shot?”
The Pioneers (27-4) had one last chance. Ginny Mills, a 5-7 junior guard who had already scored 37 points, dribbled downcourt and passed the ball to a wide open Aesha Peters near the basket. But Peters did not get off the shot before the game ended.
“I’m so exhausted,” said Michael, who was hot from long range with 5 of 7 threes. About her shooting, she said, “It just came. We were so focused in the moment.”
A key to getting the final shot came when 6-3 junior Elena Antonenko blocked Kenyona Simmons’ shot with 32 seconds and recovered the rebound.
“She does a lot a lot of things that are more than the 9 rebounds and 16 points,” Strom said of Antonenko.
Strom felt the key to the game was starting strong against the up-tempo Pioneers, who lead the nation in scoring. “We feel if we get the lead we can control the game.”
Cal, the No. 7 seed in the tournament, scored the first 9 points of the game. The Pioneers missed three shots and had three turnovers before they finally scored.
Mills, who netted seven 3-pointers, had 21 points in the first half, but none of them came easily “They are excellent defenders,” she said of the Cal players. It was tough early to get open and shoot.”
“Cal just outplayed us early,” Glenville State coach Bunky Harkleroad said.
The Vulcans led 50-43 at halftime. Glenville State, the No. 6 seed in the balanced regional, did not tie the game until Simmons drive made in 77-77 with 2:05 remaining.
Harkleroad hoped that his team’s depth – he continually rotated 10 players – would eventually wear down the Vulcans, who had only eight players available for the game. Strom was also worried about her players sustaining a fast tempo.
“Heart can make up for a whole lot,” Strom said. “We play off emotion a lot.”
Glenville senior guard Jelena Elez backed up Mills’ scoring with 12 points. But Elez was happy to be in the NCAA playoffs, but disappointed that her career ended in the semifinals.
“We came out here to win,” she said. “I feel we were capable of winning it all.”
Cal’s win guaranteed that a PSAC West team would be the regional champion. The Vulcans play either Gannon or Indiana (Pa.) in Monday’s title game.
Strom feels her team will be up to the challenge. “Everybody in the PSAC West knew it was a strong conference. We know them and they know us.”
