Women's Basketball | 11/12/2016 6:35:00 PM

Box Score ERIE, Pa. – No. 8-ranked California (Pa.) closed out the first quarter on a 17-0 run and never looked back here Saturday in handing the West Liberty University women's basketball team a 92-50 setback in the MEC/PSAC Challenge hosted by Mercyhurst University.
The Vulcans (2-0) return four starters and a host of veterans from last year's team that lost to the Hilltoppers (0-2) in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament and that experience showed on Saturday.
California snapped a 4-4 tie with a Seairra Barrett layup at 7:31 of the first quarter and forced 10 turnovers while holding the young WLU squad scoreless for the remainder of the period. The Vulcans went on to open up a 49-24 halftime lead before coasting through the second half.
West Liberty, which is rebuilding after losing a trio of All-Region standouts from last year's "Sweet 16" squad, didn't have a double-figure scorer and was charted with a school-record 42 turnovers against California's relentless defensive pressure.
Nevertheless a trio of true freshmen came off the bench to lead the Black and Gold with 8 points each.
Monica Bragg notched 8 points and a team-high 7 rebounds in her collegiate debut while Olivia Belknap chipped in with 8 points and 4 boards. Kelly Meade joined the party with 8 points in just 7 minutes of action, including a 4-of-5 showing from the charity stripe.
All-American guard Miki Glenn led all scorers for the Vulcans with 23 points, fueled by an 11-of-12 day at the foul line. Barrett, a returning All-PSAC standout, backed Glenn with 17 points.
The Lady Hilltoppers will try to rebound at home on Tuesday when they host Ohio Dominican in a non-conference game. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. at the ASRC.