The Shippensburg men's basketball team withstood its lowest shooting output of the season on Saturday afternoon to outlast host California (Pa.) University on Saturday, defeating the Vulcans by a 78-72 score in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover contest from the Convocation Center.
 
Shippensburg (8-0, 5-0 PSAC) shot 36 percent in each half on Saturday but made 11 three-pointers, marking the team's fifth straight game with at least nine makes from distance. SU trailed 31-29 at halftime and by five points, 43-38, with 14:39 to play.
 
After working to three different ties, the Raiders used an 8-0 run at the 9:39 mark to take a 59-52 lead and would not relinquish their advantage for the remainder of the game. SU would lead by as many as 11 points down the stretch, grabbing three consecutive offensive rebounds on one possession and making 8-of-10 free throws in the final 81 seconds.
 
Junior Dustin Sleva led the Raiders in scoring with 24 points, making three three-pointers and 5-of-6 at the free-throw line. Sleva grabbed nine rebounds: he has scored at least 15 points and recorded nine rebounds in all eight of SU's victories this season.
 
Junior Justin McCarthur hit four three-pointers for the Raiders and finished with 16 points, three assists and two steals without a turnover in 39 minutes. Freshman John Castello added nine points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
 
Senior Abe Massaley and sophomore Antonio Kellem each added 11 points, with Kellem adding nine rebounds.
 
Shippensburg returns to action at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 19 with a home match against Shepherd from Heiges Field House.