SLIPPERY ROCK - For as many times as the California (Pa.) University men's basketball team made a push against Slippery Rock University, The Rock was able to push back.

However, the Vulcans' 8-0 run late in the second half went unmatched as Cal went on to post an 83-69 PSAC West victory Wednesday.

"Cal ran and did what they wanted," said SRU coach John Marhefka. "They held off our runs."

Cal (21-5, 10-1) led 67-62 with 6:20 remaining in the game before a three-point play by Sherman Brittingham, a free throw by Kevin Handy, a slam dunk by Michael Johnson and another score by Brittingham opened up a 75-62.

In the first half, an 8-0 run by Cal gave it a 17-10 lead before The Rock (7-19, 4-7) answered with a 9-0 spurt.

The Vulcans led 45-41 before a 9-2 run opened up a 54-43.

SRU countered with an 11-2 streak - highlighted by a 3-pointer and two free throws by Jujuan Davis - to pull within two at 56-54.

For the next 5:30, the two teams exchanged scores, but of the Vulcans' five scores in that span, four were either 3-pointers or three-point plays.

California held a five-point lead before the 8-0 run sent the Vulcans to the win.

Cal shot 68 percent from the field in the first half as it built a 45-38 lead.

"We didn't have an defensive pressure," said Marhefka. "They got on a roll and did what they wanted.

"We have to embrace the defensive end. Defense is what will win championships," he added.

"Defense has been our style all year," said Cal coach Bill Brown. "We knew Slippery Rock would run at us in transition. We weren't surprised. They run an up-tempo game.

"We have six seniors and they know this is their last hurrah. They understand what it takes. We knew this would be a tough game. Slippery Rock has shown all year it's capable.

"The thing they lack is experience and you can't accelerate it. You have to experience it," Brown added.

The Vulcans had five players scoring in double figures, led by Sharif Bray, who had 17 points, and Kevin Handy and Brittingham, who had 16 apiece.

The Rock had 15 from Jason Taylor and 10 from Glenn Reepmeyer.

"It's tough," said Marhefka. "We were close, and that's a positive. That's how close this team is to winning."

Slippery Rock women's coach Laurel Heilman saw two different sides to her team Wednesday.

She certainly did not like the one that showed up in the second half.

Tied at 34 at the break against last week's No. 1 ranked team in the country, The Rock did an about face.

After a pair of Stacey Green baskets gave SRU (12-14, 4-7) a 38-36 lead, the Vulcans scored 13 of the next 15 points and 21 of 26 to take a commanding 57-43 lead and cruised to the PSAC West triumph, which eliminated The Rock from playoff contention.

"We talked about not allowing any runs," said Heilman. "I have absolutely no idea what team we saw in the second half. They were tentative. They pouted.

"The game was indicative of our season: up and down. I was very proud of our first half effort and disgusted at the second half," Heilman added.

In the second half, Cal's Becky Siembak scored 13 of her 16 points and Sameera Philyaw 10 of her 12.

Cal coach Darcie Vincent said her offense had a rough go of it in the first half.

"We let (SRU) get to the free throw line 13 times, and anytime you let a team do that, you're slowing yourself down," Vincent said.

Philyaw, Sara McKinney and Fanisha Clark each had two fouls within the first 10 minutes and Clark had her third with 6:24 left before halftime.

California (25-1, 10-1) was coming off its first loss of the season last Saturday against Shippensburg.

Vincent was optimistic her squad would respond to that loss, although she said the team was not as sharp as it needs to be.

"I thought we played good for 15 minutes," said Vincent.

Midway through the first half, there were six lead changes in a 2:10 span, the latter of which started a 10-2 Vulcans' spurt to open up a 29-22 advantage with 7:05 left.

The Rock answered with the game's next eight points to retake the lead with 3:22 left. Cal tied the contest three more times before the break, including the halftime score.

Cal had six players in double figures, led by McKinney's 16 points and eight rebounds.

Green led The Rock with 23 points and Erin Frankovich added 16 points and nine rebounds.