CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Concord University men's basketball team was unable to keep pace with nationally-ranked, sixth-rated California (Pa.) in the second half as it lost 89-69 on the road Saturday night in a non-conference contest at the Convocation Center.
Down 45-40 at halftime, the teams trade bucks to start the second half as Concord (0-2) closed within 49-48 after a bucket from junior guard
Kollin Tolbert with 15:59 left in the contest. But, the Vulcans (4-0) began to pull away from the Mountain Lions with a 10-1 run that saw it open up a 59-49 advantage.
Consecutive three-pointers from sophomore guard
Georges Archer cut the deficit to nine points and then to eight points, 66-58, with 8:31 remaining. It was as close as Concord came to a comeback attempt as Cal U opened up a 15-point lead, 73-58, with 5:54 remaining on its way to the victory.
Trailing for most of the first half, CU found itself down 10 points, 29-19—the largest deficit of the opening 20 minutes. However, the Maroon and Gray fired off a 14-2 run. A layup from junior forward
Rene Diop cut the deficit to 29-22 at the 7:59 mark before a steal and a layup by Tolbert. Senior guard
Corey Boston came through with back-to-back three-pointers for six of his 14 points in the game. And Tolbert capped the run with a third triple at the 4:48 mark of the first half.
The Vulcans responded with eight straight points to go back up 39-33 and maintained the five-point lead at halftime.
Along with Boston's 14 points, senior forward
Amare Smith (12 points), Archer (10 points) and Tolbert (10 points) also finished in double figures. Tolbert just missed a double-double with eight rebounds and he also added a career-high five steals.
CU outrebounded the Vulcans, 42-41, but could not overcome a 33.8 percent shooting night.
The Mountain Lions continue their four-game road trip to begin the season when they play at Bluefield State 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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