MANSFIELD, Pa. – To end the 2023 calendar year, the Mansfield Mountaineers men's basketball team (3-7, 1-4 PSAC East) hosted No. 6 California (Pa.) (11-0, 5-0 PSAC West) in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East-West crossover action, but the nationally-ranked Vulcans remained undefeated on the season, winning 88-76. 

Michael Dickson led the Mounties with 17 points on the afternoon. 

Idris Ali racked up 15 points and Saraj Ali scored 12 points. 

Cal (Pa.) entered today's game as one of six remaining undefeated teams in Division II and proved from the start why they're tough to play.  

After a 10-10 start, the Vulcans opened a 16-5 over five minutes to take the double-digit lead midway through the first half.  

Three straight makes from the beyond the arc by Gabe Perez limited the Vulcans lead to two at 26-24.  

A Scott Woodring layup tied the contest at 29 with six minutes remaining in the half.  

The top ten team posted seven unanswered points after this and held a slim 46-41 lead going into locker rooms. 

Coming out of the half, the Vulcans opened a 10-2 run through the first five minutes to break away from the host, leading 56-43. With ten to go in the game, Cal (Pa.) opened the game to a 70-48 lead and never looked back. 

After a large lead for the Vulcans, the Mounties scored the final nine points, but the damage had already been done as No. 6 Cal (Pa.) claimed the 88-76 victory. 

UP NEXT: 
The Mounties start the new year with a road trip to No. 12 Gannon for their final crossover clash of the season. This game against the Golden Knights is on Wednesday, Jan. 3 with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.