SLIPPERY ROCK - The California University (Pa.) men's basketball team entered its game at Slippery Rock looking to move closer to a playoff berth.

The Rock had other ideas.

Senior guard Mason Glick scored 17 points to lead a quartet of Rock players who scored in double figures as SRU posted a 60-56 win Monday night at Morrow Field House.

Leading 57-54 with 28 seconds left in the game, Glick hit two free throws to put The Rock up by five points.

California turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, dashing its already slim chances.

It marks the first time SRU has defeated the Vulcans since the 2000-01 season.

"We've got a resilient group of guys," said Rock coach John Marhefka. "They've just got to believe in themselves."

The Rock managed to pull out a victory despite having two of its big men foul out late in the game - junior centers Dejan Jancic and Glenn Reepmeyer.

The game's result gives both teams a 3-4 record in the PSAC's Western Division with five games left.

"We figured that to make the playoffs, we'd have to win tonight," said Vulcans' coach Bill Brown. "This loss hurts us, though if we won out, I think we'd still have a shot."

After starting the season 0-11, The Rock still has hope of capping the campaign with a playoff berth.

"We're close to being back in (the playoff race), depending on how our upcoming games go," said Marhefka.

The Vulcans trailed for most of the game, though they managed a slim 29-27 lead by halftime.

Junior center Boris Mesnager led California with 24 points and 11 rebounds, though he proved to be his team's lone consistent threat in both categories.

"That's been a problem for us," said Brown. "We just haven't had consistency around (Mesnager)."

Cal's Kelvin Green, a transfer from Coppin State, saw his first action in Division II, but disappointed by missing all eight of his attempts from the field and scoring just four points.

The Vulcans (12-8, 3-4) found shooting from the outside a futile task, making just one of eight attempts from beyond the arc.

"I've got to give the credit to our guards, neutralizing their perimeter game," said Marhefka.

Also having strong games offensively for The Rock (5-17, 3-4) were Bill Johnson (12 points), Brandon Thompson (12) and Jason Bratten (11).

"We've been getting balanced scoring all season," said Marhefka. "I was definitely pleased with it again tonight."

SRU hosts Edinboro at 8 p.m. Wednesday night.

CALIFORNIA (56)

London Houston 1-7 0-0 2, Boris Mesnager 10-14 4-6 24, Mike Smelkinson 1-2 0-0 2, Travis Eisentrout 0-3 0-0 0, Sammy Rahman 2-2 0-1 4, Kelvin Green 0-8 4-6 4, Guillaume Beyl 2-3 1-2 5, Damar Ruffin 3-4 1-1 7, Sharif Bray 1-5 5-7 8. Totals: 20-48 15-23 56.

SLIPPERY ROCK (60)

Bill Johnson 3-10 5-6 12, Mason Glick 5-9 6-8 17, Ryan Yarosik 0-0 0-0 0, Jason Bratten 4-8 1-2 11, Glenn Reepmeyer 2-2 2-2 6, Brandon Thompson 5-8 1-3 12, Sean White 0-0 0-0 0, Dejan Jancic 1-3 0-0 2. Totals: 20-40 15-21 60.

Halftime - California, 29-27. 3-point goals - CU 1-8 (Bray 1-2, Smelkinson 0-1, Eisentrout 0-1, Green 0-4), SRU 5-12 (Bratten 2-5, Thompson 1-1, Glick 1-3, Johnson 1-3). Rebounds - CU 28 (Mesnager 11), SRU 26 (Johnson, Reepmeyer 6). Assists - CU 6 (Eisentrout 3), SRU 12 (Glick 7). Total fouls - CU 22, SRU 24. Fouled out - Bray (CU); Reepmeyer, Jancic (SRU); Technical fouls - none.