By Morris Phillips

Questionable shot selection and poor shooting don’t add up to a good night on the hardwood.   Given that toxic mix, the Cal Bears spent the majority of the evening trailing by double digits before falling in their big test at Creighton on Sunday, 68-54.  And as a result, the Bears will enter Pac-12 conference play without a signature non-conference win.

The Bears shot just 33 percent in the first half and trailed the Bluejays, 30-19 at the break.  But what was surprising was the lack of aggressiveness at the offensive end where the Bears managed just 24 shots–half of those 3-point attempts—and one trip to the free throw line.  Creighton’s sticky man-to-man defense in part explains why the Bears’ offense got pushed out on the floor, but impatient Cal shooters deserve their share of the blame.

All-American Doug McDermott didn’t start off shooting much better, missing seven of his first eight attempts, but after that the coach’s son carried the Jays, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds.  McDermott also settled for some long distance shots, but made eight of his final 14 shot attempts by getting to his sweet spots inside the arch and relying on his signature step back jumpers.  McDermott has scored 20 or more points in all but one of Creighton’s games this season.

The Bluejays led by as many 19 points in the second half as Coach Mike Montgomery substituted frequently in attempt to find a hot hand.  But Montgomery was unable to find one as the Bears shot just 36 percent for the game and never made a sustained push in the second half. 

Justin Cobbs led Cal with 13 points and four assists, and  Tyrone Wallace (12) and David Kravish (11)  also scored in double figures.  

The Bears played without Ricky Kreklow who suffered a broken hand in practice this week.  Freshman Jabari Bird got the start in place of Kreklow but left early when he sustained an ankle injury.

The Bears final non-conference contest comes next Saturday against Furman at Haas Pavilion.   Cal opens Pac-12 play on January 2 at Stanford.