CLARION, Pa. (D9Sports.com) – WPIAL Class A fifth-place finisher California used a second-half starting 14-2 run to oust District 9 champion Venango Catholic from the PIAA postseason with a 40-28 win over the Lady Vikings in a first-round game Saturday night at Clarion University’s Tippin Gym.

Venango Catholic (21-6) led 18-17 at halftime but managed just one basket in the first 14:55 of the second half allowing California (25-2) to take control of the game.

The Lady Vikings ended up connecting on just 3 of 25 shots (12 percent) in the second half after going 8 of 19 (42.1 percent) in the opening 16 minutes to take the one-point lead at the break.

Read more: D9sports.com/bulldogs-get-by-bellwood-antis-60-53/