Cal Bears in huddle against the Colorado Buffaloes at CU Events Center in Boulder CO on Wed Feb 28, 2024 (photo by Cal Bears Athletic Dept)

Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024

CU Events Center, Boulder, Colorado

California Golden Bears 78 (13-16 Overall; 9-9 Pac-12)

Colorado Buffaloes 88 (19-9 Overall; 10-7 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Bears put up a fight, but ultimately fell to the Colorado Buffaloes, 88-78, to start off the final road trip of the season.

The Bears kicked off the three-game road trip after another comeback win in their final home game against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday. There was a lot at stake for the Bears, as a perfect road trip would clinch them a winning season just a year after going 3-29.

Eddie Lampkin slammed one down for Colorado to start the scoring, and Jalen Celestine put the Bears on the board with a three-ball. Celestine sank another three to make it 6-2.

The Bears were off to a fast start, but Tristan da Silva laid one in after getting fouled, and hit his free throw to make 6-5. KJ Simpson hit a three to put the Buffaloes back ahead, 8-6, and Eddie Lampkin laid one in to make it 10-6.

Celestine hit another three to make it 10-9, but the Buffaloes scored six unanswered runs to open up a 16-9 lead.

Rodney Brown Jr. hit a three to make it 16-12, and that started a 7-2 run that saw the Bears close the deficit to 18-16. During that run, Grant Newell was fouled and hit one of two from the line, and Brown hit another three.

From there, the Buffaloes took complete control, and went on a 15-3 run to open a 33-19 lead. That lead held for the rest of the first half, as Colorado went into the half up 45-31.

The Bears started the second half down double digits, which to them meant it was time for another comeback. Cal indeed began to slowly chip away, and Newell hit a three with 14:13 remaining to close the deficit to seven at 56-49.

Jaylon Tyson hit a three with 12:56 remaining to make it 58-53, and the Bears were indeed set to make another comeback. The teams traded points over the several minutes, as Tylon laid one in to make it 65-59 with 9:18 to go.

Simpson was fouled and hit two from the line, and Javon Ruffin hit a three, as Colorado was back up by 11 at 70-59. The Bears kept pace, but were not able to get within less than nine points.

However, Simpson was once again fouled and hit both shots from the line, and he laid one in as well to put Colorado up 83-68 with 4:41 to go. By then, it was too late for Cal to pull off another comeback, and the Buffaloes won it, 88-78.

With this loss, the Bears are guaranteed their seventh-straight losing season, as they fall to 13-16 on the season. This is also a major blow to Cal’s March Madness hopes. However, they still can end Pac-12 play with a winning record, as they are now 9-9 in conference play.

On the positive side for the Bears, Jaylon Tyson scored 25 points in another big game.

Now with two games remaining, the Bears will head to Salt Lake City, where they will take on the Utah Utes at 6 p.m. on Saturday.