Vulcans fall to Shepherd in PSAC Tournament

For the MVI

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – The California (Pa.) men’s basketball team’s quest for a PSAC Tournament championship came to a sudden halt on Saturday, with an 84-74 loss to host Shepherd in the semifinals.

After a strong start, the Vulcans (18-12) were unable to withstand the Rams’ explosive second-half performance, marking a disappointing end to their tournament run.

Donald Whitehead Jr. scored 23 points and eclipsed the 500-point milestone for the season.

The Vulcans got into foul trouble as forwards Dalman Alexander and Kadyn Hannah were limited after numerous whistles. California took a 38-29 lead into halftime, but the momentum shifted dramatically after intermission.

Shepherd (21-10) started the second half with a staggering 19-4 run, establishing a 48-42 lead with just over 14 minutes left.

Rams sophomore Marcus Banks was relentless, leading all scorers with 24 points, while senior Carson Poffenberger added 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Shepherd shot 62% from the field in the second half – a stark contrast to the Vulcans, who managed only 28.9%shooting in the final 20 minutes.

Redshirt junior Cam Polak had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Vulcans.

California managed to close the gap to single digits, but Shepherd maintained control and sealed their victory at the freethrow line, showcasing its poise under pressure.