Bloomsburg Falls to California (PA) in Women's Basketball

CALIFORNIA (PA) —Trailing by just six points with 5:20 to play in the game, the Bloomsburg University women's basketball team saw California (PA) go on a 15-5 run to pull away and win 72-56 on Saturday afternoon.

Bloomsburg started strong in the game and held a five point lead, 14-9, after a made three-pointer from Michelle Albanese (Wilmington, DE/St. Mark's) with 14:41 to play in the opening half. The Vulcans, though, the defending NCAA Division II champions, went on a 18-0 over the next eight minutes to take a 27-14 lead with 6:33 to left in the half.

The Huskies finally broke the scoring drought with three free throws from Meggi Rothermel (Minersville/Nativity BVM). Then later, trailing, 33-17, with less than four minutes to play in the period, Bloomsburg scored the final nine points of the frame to get within seven points, 33-26, at the break. Jamie Kauczka (Kingston/Wyoming Valley West) scored five of Bloomsburg's eight points in the late rally.

In the second half, the Huskies started strong again and pulled to within three points, 38-35, on a made three-pointer by Dana Thompson (Pocono Lake/Allentown, NJ) with 14 minutes left in the game. The Vulcans, though, rallied and scored the next nine points with Sara McKinney getting seven of the points for Cal.

Later, with Cal leading, 56-44, the Huskies mounted one last comeback. Gabe Miskinis (Lewistown/Lewistown) hit a free throw, then converted on back-to-back made three-pointers to get Bloomsburg back within six points, 57-51, with 5:20 left. However, Cal's Megan Storck and Lisa Gottuso hit back-to-back three's pushing the lead back to 12 points and ending the Huskies thoughts of a comeback.

Kauczka scored 15 points to lead the Huskies in scoring, while Tiff Metzler (Mechanicsburg/Mechanicsburg) added 11 and Miskinis 10.

California, now 10-2, got 31 points from Sara McKinney, while Storck add 11 points.

Bloomsburg, 4-4, will be back in action on Sunday at Shippensburg starting at 1 p.m.