Sporio, Hahn spark Cal to spot in PSAC semifinals
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
California senior guard Abbey Sporio goes in for a layup against Gannon during Thursday’s PSAC tournament quarterfinal game at the Convocation Center. Sporio matched her career high with 22 points.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
California’s Bianca Jasper makes a pass around Gannon’s Lauren Tewes in the third quarter.
California's Jiahna Flood-Francis looks for room around Gannon’s Ivana Twumasi and Tori Obenrader (25).
Cal's Gina Vallecorsa looks for room around Gannon’s Sydney Mitchell to make a pass.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Seairra Barrett scores two of her 16 points by going around the defense against Gannon’s Chelsea Rourke.
Cal U head coach Jess Strom talks to her team during a timeout near the end of the game.
CALIFORNIA – For three years, Abbey Sporio’s offensive game was a lot like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates – you never knew what you were going to get.
Sporio’s in-your-face defense was a constant for California University’s women’s basketball team, but her offense was a work in progress that, with a lot of hard work and sweat, has finally become a strength.
Sporio, a senior guard, matched her career high with 22 points Wednesday night and Cal received some key contributions from reserve forward DJ Hahn in the fourth quarter as the Vulcans pulled away for an 80-68 victory over Gannon in the PSAC tournament quarterfinals at the Convocation Center.
The win sends California (24-4) to the PSAC Final Four on Saturday afternoon against host and East Division champion Kutztown (16-11). West champion Indiana will play Bloomsburg in the other semifinal. Game times will be announced today. Cal did not play Kutztown during the regular season.
On a night when Gannon (14-17), a sharp-shooting team with a deceiving record, held Cal’s high-scoring forward Seairra Barrett to four first-half shots, the Vulcans needed a big game from Sporio and the Vulcans’ other players on the perimeter of the offense. Gannon, which upset Edinboro in the first round Monday, opened in a box-and-one against Barrett and connected on three shots from beyond the three-point line early in the first quarter. The Golden Knights had visions of another upset and they were within striking distance until early in the fourth quarter.
“We weren’t pressuring enough defensively in the first half,” Cal coach Jess Strom admitted. “When you play a team three times in a season, they know your defense and where the open shots are.”
Gannon shot 46 percent in the first half and trailed 43-42 at halftime. With Barrett being held to five first-half points, Sporio carried the Vulcans’ offense with 16 points on 5-for-6 shooting.
“They came out in a box-and-one on Seairra, but that’s not something we haven’t seen all year,” Strom said. “Teams have been holding and jabbing at her. We feel confident that the other players will be able to step up and score. Abbey has been scoring a ton lately. Early in the season, we forced things into Seairra a little more.”
Sporio was 6-for-9 in the game and made nine of 11 free throws, most coming after strong drives to the basket.
“Abbey’s aggressiveness has changed,” Barrett said. “She’s not afraid to take the shot. She can go past anybody and get to the hoop. I’m proud of the way she has stepped up her game.”
Gannon scored the first four points of the second half to take a 46-43 lead and make the Cal faithful feel uneasy. The Vulcans, however, tightened up on the defensive end, especially after Gannon point guard Sydney Mitchell drew her fourth foul midway through the third quarter and went to the bench. She took much of the Golden Knights’ offense with her as Gannon was held to only six points in the quarter.
Gannon had nine turnovers in the third quarter and finished with a whopping 28 for the game. That allowed Cal numerous fast-break opportunities and the Vulcans were able to attempt eight more shots the Golden Knights.
“Defense, that’s how we win games,” Strom said. “It’s not a secret.”
Cal led 54-48 at the end of the third quarter, and a three-point play by Lauren Tewes and a driving basket by Tori Obenrader pulled Gannon to within 56-53 early in the fourth. That’s when Hahn changed the momentum. The junior scored eight of her 11 points during a pivotal 59-second stretch that pushed Cal’s lead to double digits.
Hahn made a three-pointer, then stole the ball from a Gannon player and drove for a fast-break layup. On Cal’s next possession, Hahn made another three-pointer from the same spot on the floor as her earlier one and the Vulcans suddenly had a 64-54 lead.
“DJ is probably the best pure shooter we have on the team,” Strom said. “We have a lot of confidence that she’s going to make it when she shoots. That stretch was huge. Three-pointers give you momentum. DJ’s also had some big rebounds and a steal.”
Gannon never recovered from the devastating 59-second stretch and Cal point guard Bianca Jasper made six free throws in the final 55 seconds to secure the spot in the semifinals.
Chelsea Rourke led four Gannon players in double figures with 15 points. She played strong man-to-man defense on Barrett but also committed eight turnovers.
After her slow start, Barrett finished with 16 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
“We’ve had a lot of different players step up,” Strom said. “Lately, it has been Abbey. When a team tries to take away Seairra, we feel confident that somebody is going to get the job done.”