CALIFORNIA, Pa. -- The player fondly called the "old man" on the California University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team is Ron Banks, a 6-foot-6 senior who is 31 years old. He joined the Vulcans two years ago from junior college.

Last night, Banks dusted off a shot he hadn't used often this season -- the 3-pointer. He made both of his shots from beyond the arc and scored a game-high 27 points to lead California to a 64-52 victory against visiting Millersville in the NCAA Division II East regional at Hamer Hall.

California (28-5), winner of five in a row and 19 of 20, advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in Bill Brown's 12 seasons as head coach and will play March 26 in Springfield, Mass.

"He's an old man, he knows how to play the game," said Millersville coach Fred Thompson, whose Marauders finished 22-10 and lost both encounters with the Vulcans this season. "He had an out-of-body experience against us."

Banks made 8 of 10 shots from the field and 9 of 9 from the free-throw line to go with 7 rebounds and 2 steals in a performance that helped earn him the tournament MVP. Teammate Alioune Mbaye, who had 11 points and 4 rebounds, also was a member of the all-tournament team.

"Maybe I'm a half-step slower than the young guys," said Banks, who entered with a team-high 15.4 scoring average. "I have to use the angles and take advantage of my experience."

California rallied from a 33-29 halftime deficit to overcome the Marauders, who were led by Reggie Bates (14 points, 7 rebounds) and Bernard Brown (16 points, 5 rebounds). The Vulcans scored the first nine points after intermission and went on a 14-2 run for a 43-35 lead that fluctuated between 4 and 13 points the rest of the way.

"The crowd got behind us and gave us energy," California coach Bill Brown said of the 3,400 fans mostly cheering for the Vulcans. "We were not as intense in the first half."

What California did have was Banks, whose 3-pointers stretched Millersville's defense.

"I struggled with [my 3-pointer] during the season," said Banks who made four 3-pointers during the year. "I started firing it in the tournament and it started going in. Every time I let it go, I expect it to go in."

Banks was 2 of 2 from beyond the line in the first two games of the tournament after going 4 of 26 in the regular season.

"I'm glad they're going in," Brown said. "I feel comfortable with him shooting it, but I'm not going to give him the green light."

The Vulcans were going full speed ahead in the second half and Millersville couldn't keep pace because the Marauders didn't take advantage of a 40-29 rebounding edge that included 19 on the offensive end.

"In the second half, we didn't show up and play," Thompson said. "When you miss as many lay-ups as we did, it's more you than the defense."

Banks was more than Millersville could handle, too.