CALIFORNIA, Pa. - Edinboro and California(Pa.) combined for nine ties and 16 lead changes in Saturday afternoon's PSAC West opener, but the Fighting Scots were outscored 8-5 over the final 3:57, and lost 74-71 at the Convocation Center. The Fighting Scots entered the contest undefeated at 9-0 overall, which was their best start to a season since the 2011-12 team went 24-0 to start their campaign.

The Scots, now 9-1 overall and 5-1 in the PSAC West, rank third in the West standings, while the Vulcans improved to 11-1 and 6-0 in conference play and sit atop the West. Edinboro has now lost three straight meetings to Cal, including an 0-6 mark in their last six trips to California, Pa, and have consecutive meetings by three points.

The Fighting Scots entered the week ranked 12th in the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association Poll (WBCA) and 11th in the D2SIDA Media Poll. California(Pa.) ranked two spots ahead of the Scots in the WBCA Poll at 10th, but ranked 25th in the D2SIDA Poll.

In the first quarter, Edinboro jumped out to a 5-0 lead, as Michaela Barnes scored the first points of the contest on a 3-pointer, followed by a Jontay Walton jumper. DJ Hahn scored the Vulcans first points of the contest at 8:22. Following a Bianca Jasper jumper, Hahn scored six consecutive points, and was responsible for 10 of the Vulcans first 13 points. The Fighting Scots clawed back into the game, trailing by a point at 18-17, but California(Pa.) scored the final four points to end the quarter.

In the second quarter, Edinboro contained the Vulcans defensively, holding them to 10 points in the quarter. In the opening 7:40, California(Pa.) shot 1-of-8 (12.5 percent) and turned the ball over five times. Hahn scored the first basket of the quarter for the Vulcans, connecting on her second 3-pointer of the game for a 25-18 lead.

The Scots replied by erasing an eight-point deficit on an 11-0 run during Cal's scoreless streak, with Ciara Rosten leading Edinboro with four points. At 2:20, the Vulcans near eight-minute scoring drought ended on a layup from Natalia Casals. Jasper's fourth field goal of the half tied the game at 32-32, but they never took back the lead, and Edinboro led 36-32 at the half.

After halftime, Edinboro's lead increased to eight points on three occasions throughout the quarter. Michelle Jahn and Casals exchange baskets to start the second half, and Rosten scored eight points in a 4:07 stretch. With the Scots up 52-47 after back-to-back Walton free throws at 3:05, the Vulcans scored three consecutive baskets, and took the lead for the first time in the second half at 55-52. However, Walton converted a three-point play with six seconds left, and sent both teams into the final quarter deadlocked at 55 apiece.
 

The 55-55 tie lasted 46 seconds, as Mia Cushon's layup put Cal back up 57-55. Michaela Barnes answered with a layup just seven seconds later, forcing another tie. Over the next 5:55, there would be a tie or lead change on every converted basket. After the Vulcans went up 68-66, Rosten split a pair of free throws, Parsons drew a foul on the other end, while in the process of making a layup and converted the three-point play. They then held a four-point lead at 71-67, which was the largest in the quarter.

The Fighting Scots cut to within a basket ten seconds later on a Walton layup, but Parsons converted on another three-point opportunity. Edinboro was again within a basket after Barnes made consecutive free throws with 39 seconds remaining in the game. Cushon was forced into a bad shot with 14 seconds remaining, giving Edinboro a chance to tie or win the game. With seven seconds on the clock, Ayana Vaughn attempted and missed a 3-pointer Barnes gathered the offensive rebound, but Edinboro was unable to get a shot off.

Rosten scored a season-high 22 points to lead all players. The 6'2" senior forward shot 10-of-13, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked three shots before fouling out. Jontay Walton added 18 points, and Michaela Barnes also scored in double figures with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

Edinboro's Whitney Allen was tasked with guarding Parsons, who leads all PSAC's players with 23.3 ppg. She was held to 18 points on 6-of-12 from the floor, but shot a perfect 6-for-6 on free throws. She also recorded seven rebounds and four blocks. Three other Vulcans scored in double figures. Hahn also ended the game with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Cushon came off the bench for 14 points, and Abbey Sporio nearly recorded a double-double with 10 points and eight boards, to go along with five steals.

The Fighting Scots made 50.9 percent (28-of-55) of their field goal attempts, and held the Vulcans to 44.8 percent (30-of-67).

The Fighting Scots return to McComb Fieldhouse for the first time since November 19, when they host Seton Hill on Wednesday, January 3. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.