Los Angeles Lakers guard Luca Doncic (77) looks to shoot against the Sacramento Kings center Precious Achiuwa (9) at Golden 1 in Sacramento on Fri Nov 6, 2026 (AP News photo) Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah… More
Kings Fall to Lakers 116-103 as Doncic Scores 40 Points
Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket between Quentin Grimes #5 and Collin Sexton #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of their game at Golden 1 Center on November 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
SACRAMENTO, — The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center. The Kings returned home after their first prolonged road trip of the season, playing four games and getting their first win of the season on Monday against the Mavericks in Dallas. On Wednesday, the Kings welcomed the Lakers to town for a 7 p.m. PST tip.
The Kings lost to the Lakers 116-103 on Wednesday, while their record fell to 1-7 so far this season.
In the first quarter, neither team was able to create much separation in what felt like the beginning of a very grinding game for both teams. The Kings and Lakers both scored 28 points in the first quarter as they shot 47% and 42%, respectively, to start the game. It was De’Andre Hunter who paced the Kings in the first quarter with eight points, while Luka Doncic led all scorers with 10 points.
In the second quarter, the game came to a screeching halt. Lots of fouls and messy plays led to a slow game. However, Luka Doncic turned the game into a Luka Doncic show late in the quarter as he scored 13 points to propel the Lakers to a 61-54 halftime lead. The Lakers outscored the Kings 33-26 to take the lead after 24 minutes as Luka finished the first half with 23 points to lead all scorers, while the Kings were paced by Darius Acuff Jr., who had 14 points.
In the third quarter, it was the Lakers again making their presence known and shutting down any attempts by the Kings to take a lead. Luka Doncic added 12 more points in the third quarter to bring his game total up to 35 as the Lakers entered the fourth quarter leading 87-74. The Lakers outscored the Kings 26-20 in the third as the Kings’ offense dried up. Darius Acuff Jr. did what he could to keep the Kings in it with eight points in the third, but the Kings needed a sizable comeback in the fourth quarter to earn their second win of the year.
In the fourth quarter, the Kings weren’t able to mount any meaningful comeback as they fell to the Lakers 116-103. In the fourth quarter, each team scored 29 points. Leading the game in scoring was Luka Doncic, who finished with 40 points. For the Kings, Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 22 points in the game on 8-of-24 shooting from the field.
After the game, Domantas Sabonis spoke on where he felt the Kings came up short.
“We just talked in the locker room,” Domas said after the game. “Second half, I think we didn’t score points and we didn’t execute as well on the defensive end and that’s where the game kind of got away.”
Zach LaVine spoke after the game and lamented his turnovers (six in the game) as well as the team’s struggles in that area.
“We got a cut down on turnovers,” LaVine said postgame. “I had a couple dumb ones and we had a couple just unfortunate plays too.”
The Kings will stay home to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Friday at 7 p.m. PST at Golden 1 Center.
Barracuda win two in a row, beat Reign in OT 3-2
San Jose Barracuda vs Ontario Reign on Wednesday November 4th at Toyota Arena (via ontario reign/flickr)
By Madison Montez
The San Jose Barracuda traveled to Ontario to take on the Ontario Reign. In the matchup, the game went into overtime and the Barracuda came out on top, 3-2 at the Toyota Center in Ontario.
The Ontario Reign lit the lamp when Alternate Captain Forward Taylor Ward scored his third goal of the season. Cole Guttman recorded the primary assist and Jack Hughes recorded the secondary assist. Following an odd man rush,
San Jose tied the game at one a piece. Forward Brendan Hoffman came behind a group of Reign players to score his third goal of the season. Carson Wetsch recorded the primary assist and Roland McKeown recorded the secondary assist.
Ontario regained their initial lead by poking a puck through goaltender Eric Comrie. Kaleb Lawrence scored his second goal of the season to make it 2-1. Grabbing a redirected puck off of a Reign player, Forward Donovan Houle scored his third goal of the season. Happy birthday to him, tying the game at 2-2. Cam Lund recorded the lone assist.
Regulation wasn’t enough and 17 seconds in, Forward Cam Lund scored his first goal of the season to win it in overtine fashion, 3-2.
After the first period, San Jose outshot Ontario 11-10. After the second period, Ontario outshot San Jose 9-7. After the third period, San Jose outshot Ontario 7-5.
Wednesday night’s goalie matchup was Eric Comrie for San Jose versus Carter George for Ontario. Recording 22 saves on 24 shots, Comrie recorded Wednesday night’s win. Recording 23 saves on 26 shots, George recorded Wednesday night’s loss.
THREE STARS OF THE GAME:
- Cam Lund
- Taylor Ward
- Kaleb Lawrence
The Barracuda will be back in action on Friday November 6th where they will host the Bakersfield Condors for a two-game series on the 6th and the 7th.
Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva: Cal’s Indrusaitis crushes it with 30 point game to beat Radford
Cal Bears forward Sammie Yeanay (23) drives on the Radford Highlanders at Haas Pavilion at UC Berkeley on Wed Nov 4, 2026 (Cal Bears X photo)
Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva:
#1 Cal Bears guard Nojus Indrusaitis led the Bears with 30 points and played a big role for the Golden Bears on Wednesday night.
#2 The Bears Jake Wilkins was second in the scoring tally with 13 points as Cal came away with a 84-70 win
#3 The Bears Jodan Ross finished third in scoring with eight points as the Bears keep the ball away from the Radford Highlanders and got enough scoring to win it by 14 points.
#4 Michael talk about coach Mark Madsen he was out Wednesday night because of a family emergecy but he would have been proud how the team rallied around assistant head coach Adam Mazarei.
#5 Next up for Cal they tip off against the lights out Houston Cougars who beat La Salle Explorers 94-55 on Monday night in Tahoe. Will Cal be focusing more on defense or try to work the offense more?
Michael Villanueva is a Cal Bears beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
California went Golden with 17 made three-pointers, beating Radford, 84-70
California Golden Bear guard (#25) Nojus Indrusaitis dribbles his way inside the paint against the Radford Highlanders in an NCAA non-conference basketball game at the Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California, on Wednesday, November 4th, 2026. (Photo credit: Michael Villanueva)
By Michael Villanueva
BERKELEY – On Wednesday night, two days after their season-opening win, the California Golden Bears (2-0) returned to Haas Pavilion to host the Radford Highlanders (0-2). In the Bears’ Monday win, they shot 11-of-23 from the three-point range. In tonight’s game with Radford, the Bears shot 17-of-35 from three-pointer’s, almost 50% (49%), and with that shooting would get their second win of the season, 84-70, California wins.
On Monday night, Radford made their first stop on their two-game West Coast trip at the University of San Francisco. USF would go on to defeat Radford, 76-62, handing the Radfords their first loss in their first game of the season. Their head coach, Zach Chu, would send the same guys as the starters. With Frederik Erichsen, Mathieu Grujicic, Tristan Gross, Gabriel Ferreira, and Ja’Corey Robinson as the starters. Erichsen led the team in their loss with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist.
The Bears are still without their returning and former starting forward, Lee Dort, due to ankle complications. California went with the same lineup from Monday’s evening win over Adams State with Jordan Ross, Mantas Kocanas, Jake Wilkins, Sammie Yeanay, and Nojus Indrusaitis. Five players from Cal would score double-digit points in the team’s win on Monday. The Bears were also missing their head coach, Mark Madsen, due to a family emergency.
Getting the first bucket of the night would be Cal’s Jake Wilkins with a three-pointer to get the fans in the Pavilion on their feet. However, Radford would go on a 6-0 scoring run in the first two minutes of the game and get an early lead, 8-5. The Bears responded by making three three-pointers in a row. This gave the Bears an early seven-point lead, 17-10.
The Bears’ defense made it hard for the Highlanders to get their three-point shooting going, but Radford wasn’t gonna let up. Head coach Zach Chu had his team attack the paint. By the end of the first half, Radford scored 24 points in the paint while Cal was only able to get 8 points. Cal would end the first half on a 5-0 scoring run, having a total of seven scoring runs just in the first half.
Halftime, California leads over Radford, 45-37. Bears Nojus Indrusaitis leads the team so far with 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist. The Bears’ shooting has been the main reason why they’re holding the lead. They’re shooting 9-of-17 from three-point range, and their defense is holding Radford’s deep ball shooting at 4-of-13. Although Radford’s aggressiveness has been their reason, they’re still within grasp. The Highlanders have scored 24 points in the paint, while California has scored 8 points in the paint.
To start the second half of the game, Nojus Indrusaitis, by himself, would go on a 7-0 scoring run. His early efforts changed the Bears’ lead to 8 points, 52-44. Although Radford would get a strong scoring run of a 7-0, and cut the lead to just one point, 52-51. Bears Jake Wilkins would slam a dunk on a fast-break transition and get the team ready to take over.
Middle of the 2nd half in the game, Cal’s last four offensive possession would all be made three-pointers. The Bears were feeling golden, as they went on a 12-2 scoring run for almost three minutes. This run would push the lead to 13 points, 71-58, and start to discourage Radford after getting the score within one point.
Applying more pressure on Radford, Cal from the nine-minute mark to the three-minute mark of the second half made 6 of 8 three-pointers. Cal’s Michael Cooper made three of those, and Nojus Indrusaitis made two of them in that span. Setting the score up to 79-62, Cal leads. With time running down and Radford desperately shooting shots, Cal wouldn’t allow any comebacks, especially in their “Haas”.
The final score of the game was 84-70. California was led in this win by Nojus Indrusaitis with a new career high at 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Coming off the bench with 16 points, 4-of-8 from the three-point line, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists, and proving to be a factor for the Bears’ offense was Michael Cooper.
Next, the Golden Bears are heading to “The Big Blue”. California’s basketball program is playing in the Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic on November 8th. The Caesars Lake Tahoe Classic will feature 3 Men’s games and 1 Women’s game. California men’s basketball will play, and it’s their first meeting with the Houston Cougars since 1999 at 5:30 p.m. Cal women’s basketball also is competing at the Classic, playing San Francisco in the event’s opening game at 11 a.m.
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Election day as 49ers York’s politcal contribution to defeat Santa Clara Vice Mayor Watanabe; A’s release McNiel and Springs
The battle between San Francisco 49ers top brass and the City of Santa Clara vice mayor Kathy Wantanabe over how Levi Stadium should be ran most likely will be decided at the ballot box on Tue Nov 4, 2026 on election day (photo by Cupertino Electric)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 The political conflict between City of Santa Clara Vice Mayor Kathy Watanabe and the City of Santa Clara and the San Francisco 49ers has the 49ers spending and hoping to get Wantanbe opponent Gary Ferraris,elected as mayor.
#2 Amongst the conflict between the 49ers and Santa Clara, A. Stadium revenue: How much money the 49ers should return to Santa Clara taxpayers. B. Financial transparency: Whether the city should have stronger independent auditing and oversight of stadium finances. C. Stadium expenses: Who should pay for improvements, maintenance and other costs. D.Event restrictions: Rules governing stadium events, including curfews. Watanabe has supported greater scrutiny of the stadium’s finances and has promised more transparency if elected mayor.
#3 On Monday the Sacramento A’s announced they released infielder Jeff McNiel and pitcher Jeffery Springs. McNiel. McNiel hit .264, nine home runs, with 59 RBIs. McNiel had some games where he helped the A’s with some clutch hits and contributed to the club winning some games. McNiel helped the A’s more than he hurt them.
#4 Springs who was released on Sunday as well strugged all year going 4-14 with a 6.18 ERA had numerous games where he went out and got lit up. A’s manager Mark Kotsay stayed with him all 2026 but in the end Springs just didn’t pay off for the club.
#5 The A’s did retain the services of pitcher Luis Severino. Severino was out for most of the season was 2-6 with a 4.17 ERA. Severino left early in the season due to a shoulder capsule and suffered shoulder strains. He’ll receive $22 million from the A’s for the 2027 season.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Proposes delaying a Salary Cap until the 2028 season
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says MLB will delay the salary cap proposal until 2028 and no salary cap for 2027 season. Will the MLBPA agree or not? (photo from Stadium Chaser)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary:
Subject: MLB Proposes delaying a Salary Cap until the 2028 season — That’s Amaury News and Commentary
MLB Proposes delaying the salary cap until 2029
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
Commissioner Rob Manfred may be “buying time’ for his owners. No word on this so far from the players’ union, the MLPA, which has said the salary cap is a ‘red line ‘, a message that they are not looking forward to a cap for their players. Basically, this is an effort by the owners to win over the players, sweetening the deal. Give the MLPA a year (2027) to think about it. But I do not think the players will bite.
This announcement changes from MLB first proposal. The owners project that the top limit on team spending in 2028 would be $258.2 million, up from $245.3 million proposed for 2027, and the floor the league proposes for 2028 is now $1809.2 million, up from $171.2 million initially.
So sit down and get the Pop Corn because this could be ,long, definitely longer than the very expensive 1963 Hollywood film Cleopatra. It is widely referred to as a financial disaster and a near-bankrupting “bomb”; hopefully, Major League Baseball owners and players will come to an agreement satisfactory to both sides, and most importantly, keep the baseball fans iin a better mood.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal grounded the Eagles 74-65 on their home opener on the Farm
Stanford Cardinal Aidan Camman (52) throws down against the Eastern Washington Eagles at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Mon Nov 2, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal photo)
By Michael Roberson
STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-0) opened their season with a 74-65 comeback victory over the Eastern Washington Eagles (0-1), Monday Night inside the friendly confines of Maples Pavilion.
Eastern Washington scored the first basket of the contest and led most of the first half (15:3), However, the Cardinal managed to make the best of their minute time in front.
The Eagles from the Great Northwest took control early in the first stanza. As a matter of fact, Eastern Washington led by as many as 13 points, including a 6-0 run in the process. At that point of the game, the Maples faithful were in a daze with a little over six minutes until recess.
However, the Cardinal took it upon themselves to go on an 11-0 run to get within two (28-26) points of the lead. They eventually took the lead (31-30) at the 1:41 mark of the half. They later added three more points, completing a 19-2 run to end the first half, and lead by four points (34-30), after 20 minutes of action.
The first half had five lead changes and three ties. There were also double-digit leads, runs and rebounding by both teams. Only one player reached that plateau individually. Eastern Washington’s senior forward, Alton Hamilton IV scored 10 points, midway through the battle.
The home team shot 48% from the field, 100% from the charity stripe, and an abysmal 17% from beyond the arc. The visitors tally was 43%, 67% and 25% in the same categories.
In the second half, the Cardinal got on the board first with a 3-pointer, immediately extending their lead to seven points. Minutes later, Stanford achieved their largest lead on nine points. Facing their largest deficit, Eastern Washington was not finished battling for a win.
The Eagles went on a 9-0 run to tie the game at 48. Nearly 11 minutes later, Eastern Washington regained the lead, 65-64. Unfortunately for the Eagles, that would be their last points total. Stanford would take the lead back, while scoring 10 straight points to end the game.
After 40 minutes of action, the Cardinal won by nine points, 74-65. Two more lead changes and one tie happened in the second half. The final buzzer ended a game full of action and ebbs and flows.
Five Stanford players scored at least 10 points for the team’s cause. Freshman guard Julius Price led with 17 points, while Aidan Cammann followed with 13 points and Aziz Olajuwon and Nick Townsend both put up 12 points. Freshman guard Isaiah Rogers contributed 10 points,
Only two Eagles fit the same criteria as their counterparts. Senior forward Alton Hamilton IV led all hoopers with 20 points and 9 rebounds, while his teammate Cole Scherer offered 11 points.
The Cardinal will next be in action Friday, November 6 as they host the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at 7 PM PT. The Eagles fly up to the Beaver State on the same date, to take on the Oregon Ducks at 3 PM PT.
San Jose Sharks game wrap: Sharks can’t get past Flames in 2-1 loss
Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (28) and the San Jose Sharks forward Ivan Stenberg (41) tussle for position at SAP Center in San Jose on Mon Nov 2, 2026
By Fernando Abarca
SAN JOSE, California — The Calgary Flames capitalized on their offensive opportunities and displayed a solid defensive structure to defeat the San Jose Sharks 2-1 on Monday night at the SAP Center.
Expectations were high for a response from San Jose following their recent poor results during this homestead, but the Sharks once again struggled to maintain consistency throughout the 60 minutes. The home team was outplayed at various points in the game despite showing good sparks of hockey particularly on the defensive end while their offense struggled to generate clear scoring chances against the Calgary goal.
The Flames took the lead in the first period thanks to Adam Klapka, who opened the scoring with a wrist shot with 5:24 remaining in the frame after a pass deflected. Jonathan Castagna provided the assist on the goal, putting Calgary up 1-0.
San Jose sought to respond during the second period, but they encountered a well-organized Calgary side that closed down space and limited the opportunities for the Sharks’ key offensive threats.
The visitors extended their lead in the third period. William Stromgren netted Calgary’s second goal at the 9:14 mark, finishing off a team play that involved assists from both Adam Klapka and Jonathan Castagna.
The Sharks finally had their response through when Sam Dickinson scored with a wrist shot past goaltender Dustin Wolf with 8:03 left in the game. However, San Jose’s offensive push was not enough to force an equalizer.
Calgary played an intelligent game, relying on collective effort, tactical discipline, and a defensive structure that consistently stifled the home team. Goaltender Dustin Wolf was also instrumental, finishing the night with 26 saves. Meanwhile, Yaroslav Askarov recorded 20 saves for San Jose, a team that once again struggled to convert possession into dangerous scoring chances.
The loss marks another difficult result for the Sharks, who needed to show a response following a 5-1 defeat to the Ottawa Senators in their previous outing. San Jose entered the game with only one win in their last four matches, while Calgary was looking to bounce back from a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Ultimately, the Flames achieved their goal thanks to a collective performance that exposed San Jose’s ongoing struggles to generate offense and maintain defensive stability. For the Sharks, the challenge remains the same finding consistency, finding their game, and ensuring that their offensive talent translates into actual results on the ice.
Sharks prepare to go on the road vs. Los Angeles on Wednesday night.
Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings Turn Three Point Math Into Their First Victory 115-100
Sacramento Kings De’Andre Hunter (left) drives on the Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) in the first half at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Mon Nov 2, 2026 (AP News photo)
Kings Turn Three-Point Math Into Their First Victory
By Mauricio Segura
Six consecutive losses had left the Kings searching for a complete performance. Against the Mavericks, they found enough offense from their guards, enough defensive disruption from their reserves and, most importantly, a steady supply of three-pointers. The result was a 115-100 victory that gave the Kings their first win of the season and ended the Mavericks’ three-game winning streak.
Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. led the Kings with 25 points, while Malik Monk supplied 24 points and seven assists off the bench. Zach LaVine added 23 points, including five three-pointers. Together, they accounted for 72 points, but the victory depended on contributions that extended beyond the leading scorers. Leaky Black hit four threes, scored 12 points and collected four steals, while Precious Achiuwa finished with 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.
Neither team established much separation early. Daniel Gafford scored the Mavericks’ first four points, but the Kings responded through LaVine’s outside shooting and Domantas Sabonis’ work around the basket. Sabonis scored six points in the opening quarter, including a layup with 29 seconds remaining that gave the Kings a 19-18 advantage.
The lead continued changing hands in the second period. Gafford was the Mavericks’ most reliable scoring option, reaching 15 points before halftime. The Kings briefly moved ahead 28-24 on a Sabonis free throw, only for Gafford to score five consecutive points and put the Mavericks back in front. Later, a pair of Cooper Flagg free throws gave the Mavericks a 40-35 edge.
The Kings answered through their reserves. Black buried a three-pointer, De’Andre Hunter tied the score with a layup, and Monk kept the offense moving with his own perimeter shooting. After Caleb Martin’s three-pointer put the Mavericks ahead 53-51 with 46 seconds left, Monk connected from 25 feet with five seconds remaining. The Kings took a 54-53 lead into halftime despite a first half that rarely allowed either team to settle into a rhythm.
The third quarter offered the first indication that the Kings might finally separate themselves. LaVine began the half with a three-pointer, and Acuff followed with another and a driving floater to establish a 62-55 advantage. Yet the Mavericks erased that margin. Marcus Sasser scored twice to produce a 62-62 tie with 6:51 remaining.
This time, the Kings had a response that lasted. Monk converted a running dunk, Black hit another three, and Acuff contributed consecutive baskets to push the advantage to 71-65. Black’s next three-pointer extended it to 74-67. By the end of the period, the Kings led 81-74, having outscored the Mavericks 27-21 in the quarter.
The fourth quarter turned a narrow lead into a decisive one. Monk scored five of the Kings’ first eight points in the period before LaVine connected from deep to make it 89-77. Monk later hit a three-pointer for a 94-79 advantage. The Mavericks responded with eight consecutive points, cutting the deficit to seven on Walter Clayton Jr.’s three-pointer, but they could not sustain the rally.
Monk answered with another three, and Acuff took over the next stretch, scoring seven points in less than two minutes to make it 106-91. LaVine then hit consecutive threes, extending the lead to 112-93 with 2:18 remaining. The Mavericks never threatened again.
The difference from the perimeter was substantial. The Kings made 19 of 43 three-point attempts, compared with seven of 33 for the Mavericks. Gafford and Clayton each finished with 20 points for the Mavericks. Flagg scored 17 and handed out six assists but made only three of his 19 field-goal attempts, missing all four of his shots from beyond the arc.
The Kings still committed 20 turnovers according to the play-by-play, hardly the profile of a flawless outing. Yet they paired sustained outside scoring with enough defensive stops to convert a one-point halftime margin into a 15-point victory. For a team that had opened its schedule without a win, that was an outcome worth more than a single promising stretch.
Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
California beats Adams State, 115-86, and the Golden Bears start the 2026-27 season, 1-0
California Golden Bear (#23) Sammie Yeanay shoots a free throw in the first half of the California men’s season opener against the Adams State Grizzlies at the Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Monday, November 2nd, 2026. (Photo credit Michael Villanueva)
By Michael Villanueva
BERKELEY – The California Golden Bears (1-0) started their 2026-2027 NCAA men’s basketball season hosting the Adam’s State Grizzlies (0-1) on the first Monday of November. The road to the Final Four in Detroit starts today, and the Bears start their journey. California defeated Adams State, 115-86, to start the season with a win.
California athletics enter its third year joining the ACC. Last season, Cal got its first postseason win since 2014 and had the most wins in a season (22) since 2016. Before the team’s first home game, the Bears played two exhibition games on the road. They played at LMU and Oregon State, and went 1-1 in those two games. Now back at home for the first time this season, this was the first-ever meeting between Cal and Adams State.
Adams State University is an NCAA Division II school located in Alamosa, Colorado. Last year the Grizzlies went 18-11 overall in the season. However, on the road, Adams State went 6-9, so coming into Berkeley for the program’s first time will be challenging for the Grizzlies. They play in the RMAC, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, with their head coach Kenny Tripp. Coach Tripp would start Emilek Jallow, Oscar Sabine, Ta’Veus Randle, Ivan Dorn Jr., and Keagan Caton.
For the Bears, head coach Mark Madsen sent out Jordan Ross, Jake Wilkins, Sammie Yeanay, Nojus Industraitis, and Mantas Kocanas as tonight’s starters. Mantas Kocanas would get the start over Lee Dort. Ross, Wilkins, and Industraitis are three of the five new transfer Bears to the roster this season. Nine Bears return from last year’s season. This is also now head coach Mark Madsen’s fourth season at Cal.
Bears forward Sammie Yeanay would get the first bucket of the evening with a layup in the paint. After that, California would go on their first of many scoring runs in the game. The Bears went on a fast 5-0 scoring run and put the score at 13-7. Halfway through the first half, the Bears couldn’t miss. Especially Sammie Yeanay and Nojus Industraitis; they both were already in double-digit scoring. Yeanay had 10 points, and Industraitis had 12 points.
At the end of the first half, the score would be 66-37. California’s lead over Adam’s State would be by 29 points. The Bears would only miss three shots from deep so far, going 7-of-11. In all of their shooting categories, the Golden Bears were golden and were shooting 63% or higher. California’s leading scorers so far were Yeanay and Industraitis, and both of them had 15 points. On the bench for Cal, guard Michael Cooper would be electric and have 13 points, on 4-of-7 shooting and 3-of-4 from deep.
Starting the second half, Cal picked up where they left off on their scoring runs and went on a 5-0 scoring run. The score now after this run would be 71-37. After this, Cal’s hot shooting at home would go cold on them for a while. They would miss five straight shots and couldn’t score a basket for almost four minutes. However, what made up for the Bears’ cold shooting was their defense. Their on-ball defensive pressure would give them 7 steals and 5 blocks.
Entering the final ten minutes of the game, Adam’s State showed some fire and perseverance in them despite Cal’s lead over them being 26 points, 86-60. Two minutes later, the Bears were starting to get their aggressiveness in offense back. Eight out of twelve shots, in a span of four minutes, were all fastbreak dunks for Cal. Each dunk the Bears threw down in the final minutes was displaying their hustle and strength.
Adam’s State was still showing good spirits on the court. There was nothing much the Division II Grizzlies could do against the Division I Bears. Grizzlies guard Nathan Day would get the last bucket of the night on a three-pointer, and end the game with the final score, 115-86. California starts their season and first game at home, 1-0.
The California Golden Bears (1-0) will return in Haas Pavilion on Wednesday, November 4th. California will host the Radford Highlanders, and just like Adam’s State, this will also be the two programs’ first-ever meeting. The Radford Highlanders are also currently playing their first game of the season against the University of San Francisco Dons. Tip-off will be at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the ACCNX.
