Author: Sports Radio Service

Las Vegas Raiders Playoff Hopes Squelched By Indianapolis Colts 23-20

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Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) carries a first half touchdown into the end zone against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sun Dec 31, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) hopes for a wild card berth in the playoffs came to an end in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Colts (9-7) topped them 23-20. The Raiders drop two games below .500 going into the final week of the 2023 season.

Game recap: This game remained close after the first quarter with the Colts leading 7-3. Indianapolis scored first when Jonathan Taylor rushed for five yards giving the Colts an early 7-0 lead. Las Vegas went to work looking to tie up the game but had to settle for a 40 yard Daniel Carlson Field Goal. The score was 7-3 in favor of the Colts as the first quarter came to an end.

Indianapolis extended their lead in the second quarter scoring their second touchdown of the day. Quarterback Gardner Minshew found Alec Pierce for 58 yards and the score now leading 14-3. The Colts would take the 14-3 lead into the locker room at the half and the Raiders had a lot of work to do in the second half.

Ace wide receiver Davante Adams would score the Raiders first touchdown of the game. The score was a four yard pass from Aidan O’Connell and Las Vegas was back in this game 10-14. The Raiders would need their defense to step up and put a stop on the Colts.

 Indianapolis moved downfield but had to settle for a 38 yard Field Goal from Matt Gay. The Raiders trailed by a touchdown desperate for some offense. Las Vegas didn’t put out much in the way of offense in their next possession and this game went into the fourth quarter with Indianapolis hanging onto a 17-10 lead.

With 7:34 left in the game, the Colts added to their score when Gay kicked a 33 yard Field Goal. Trailing by the score of 20-10, the Raiders were running out of time. Desperate for a touchdown, the Raiders had to settle for a Daniel Carlson 33 yard Field goal and with the score 20-13 it would be up to the defense to give Las Vegas a chance in this game. 

The clock became a factor with 3:46 left in the game. The Colts attempted a 50 yard Field Goal which failed but the Raiders were offsides giving Indianapolis a second shot at three points. 

Gay connected a 45 yard attempt which was good and that all but sealed the win for the Colts. With 43 seconds left on the clock, Davante Adams caught his second touchdown of the day but it was too little too late for the Raiders. The final was 23-20 in favor of Indianapolis.

Hopes for a Raider playoff berth were possible, but a long shot. The Indianapolis Colts put an end to any possibility with their 23-20 win Sunday over Las Vegas. O’Connell finished with two touchdowns and 299 passing yards for the Raiders. 

Adams had a great day with 126 receiving yards and two touchdowns and rushing yard honors went to Zamir White with 71 yards. The Raiders had better stats passing and receiving but needed more defensive effort. Neither team had any turnovers.

Minshew finished with 224 passing yards and one touchdown for the Colts. Taylor had 96 rushing yards and Alec Pierce finished with 58 receiving yards for Indianapolis.

Post game notes: The Raiders came into Indianapolis on a high after pulling off a Christmas miracle in Kansas City beating the Chiefs 20-14 on Christmas day. They got a spectacular effort from their defense which accounted for 14 points in the game. They celebrated with victory cigars after that game and had to leave those cigar boxes alone after Sunday’s narrow loss to the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colt’s kicker Gay hit a 45 yard field goal which was to be the game winner with 3:11 left in the game.

The Las Vegas Raiders will finish off their season next Sunday as they take on the Denver Broncos in a game that means little to either team. The Raiders will finish their season at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff for that game is TBD.

  

 

   

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders just can’t ring in the New Year with a win; Vegas loss in a nail biter 23-20 in Indianapolis

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The Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylen Jones without helmet puts the tackle on the Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) in the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Sun Dec 31, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich:

#1 Rich, the Las Vegas Raiders (7-9) made a mad dash effort scoring a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter but just couldn’t seal the deal against the Indianapolis Colts (9-7) in a narrow 23-20 loss at Lucas Oil on New Years Eve.

#2 Aidan O’Connell at quarterback for the Raiders threw for 299 yards, was 30-47 and two touchdowns a huge improvement over his performance against the Kansas City Chiefs last week on Monday Night Football.

#3 Wide receiver Davante Adams had himself a game with two touchdown catches going 126 yards and 13 receptions.

#4 The Raiders defense did a great job again and held the Colts to three touchdowns but the Colts got by with a fourth quarter field goal it was Matt Gay’s 45 yard field goal with 3:11 left in the game that proved to be the game winner putting the Colts up 23-13 at the time.

#5 It’s back to the drawing board for the Raiders as they return home to Allegiant Stadium Sun Jan 7th, after this two game road trip and host the Denver Broncos to close out the 2024 season. The Raiders would like nothing more than to finish the season with a win and the players have been very open about bringing back head coach Antonio Pierce for the 2024 season.

Join Rich Perez after ever Raider home and away game for the Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers rebound with 27-10 route of Commanders clinch #1 seed in NFC with Eagles loss

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (#11) celebrates his touchdown in the fourth quarter with his teammates against the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field on Sunday DEC 31, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic

The road to the Super Bowl will go through Santa Clara.

The San Francisco 49ers regained their swagger in a 27-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon at FedEx Field.

Along with the Arizona Cardinals upset victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco clinched the number one seed in the NFC and will home field advantage for the entire playoffs. Washington has lost seven in a row as their dismal season has one week left.

It was a big rebound for the 49ers after losing six days earlier to the Baltimore Ravens. It was also a nice rebound for quarterback Brock Purdy who came off his worst game of his career by going 20 of 26 for 230 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Purdy finished with a QB rating of 124.7.

“For us to be able to lock up that (number) one seed and get guys healthy going into (the) playoffs is huge for us,” said Purdy about what it means for his team to have a bye week for the playoffs. “So we’re excited about that. Obviously to have two games in the playoffs (at home) before the big one is huge.”

San Francisco (12-4) opened the game with a 12 play 55-yard drive that ended with a 38-yard field goal by Jake Moody. The 49ers defense recorded a three and out on Washington’s first posssession.

The 49ers scored its first touchdown on its next offensive possession. Purdy completed a nine play 63-yard drive with a two-yard shovel pass to Deebo Samuel who ran around the left side for his sixth receiving touchdown on the season.

After a 47-yard field goal from Joey Slye, Washington (4-12) marched down the field late in the first half to score its only touchdown of the game. Quarterback Sam Howell connected with Terry McLaurin on 42-yard reception during the drive. It set up McLaurin’s three-yard touchdown reception from Howell with 4:33 left in the second quarter.

San Francisco closed out the first half with a Moody 22-yard field goal with 19 seconds remaining to complete a 10 play 71-yard drive that ate 4:14 off the clock.

The 49ers opened up their first possession of the second half with 12 play 83-yard touchdown drive to go up 20-10. Running back Christian McCaffery began the series with 10-yard reception for a first down, but after a rush for no yards he aggravated a lower body injury. Elijah Mitchell took over for McCaffery and finished off the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown.

McCaffery finished with 64 yards on 14 carries and had four receptions for 27 yards.

San Francisco’s defense took over the game as they ended the next two Washington’s drives with interceptions off of Howell. Charvarius Ward recorded his fourth interception of the season with 14:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“We still gotta continue to get better. It’s not about completely removing ourself or just rest of everybody (next week)…We gotta make sure we’re at our best when our best is needed, for when our moment comes,” 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said.

The 49ers took advantage of the turnover when Purdy threw for his second touchdown of the game, a 17-yarder to Brandon Aiyuk to put the game out of reach. Purdy pressured out of the pocket, scrambled to the right before finding Aiyuk all alone in the endzone.

Deommodore Lenoir recorded his second interception with 8:57 left in the game to end any chance of a comeback by the Commanders.

Aiyuk led all receivers in receiving with seven catches for 114 yards to go along with his touchdown. Mitchell led all rushers in rushing with 80 yards on 17 carries. Samuel chipped in five catches for 37 yards.

Howell went 17 of 28 for 169 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. McLaurin led Washington in receiving with four catches 61 yards. Brian Robinson chipped in 44 yards on nine carries.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 4-for-9 on third down conversions. Washington was 3-for-9.

Purdy became the 49ers single season all-time passing leader in yardage with 4,280. He surpassed Jeff Garcia who has the previous record of 4,278 who set the mark in 2000.

UP NEXT: San Francisco closes out the regular season hosting the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday 1/7 at 1:25pm at Levi’s Stadium.

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: 49ers hoping to come back from embarrassing loss to Ravens; Raiders hope to keep it up in Indianapolis today; plus more news

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San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Brian Griese (left) and quarterback Brock Purdy (13) stand on the sidelines trying to make sense of it all as the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback LaMar Jackson were in full control at Levi Stadium on Mon Dec 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie when you look at the Baltimore Ravens (12-3) quarterback LaMar Jackson last week he had all the time in the world to throw against the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) pass rush. It almost seemed like he was in command of that game on Monday Night Football and was able to find a receiver when needed.

#2 For 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy no doubt one of his toughest outings since he got injured against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship last season. Purdy got into all sorts of trouble having to run out of the pocket, not time to pass and threw into traffic and got picked off four times.

#3 The Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) simply put it all together all afternoon last week in Kansas City against the Chiefs (9-6). They scored twice in just seven seconds in the second quarter and that pretty much took the wind out of the sails of head coach Andy Reid, Travis Kelce, quarterback Pat Mahomes and Taylor Swift.

#4 On tap today the Raiders need a big win in Indianapolis against the Colts (8-7). The Colts are no slouch winners of five of their last seven games. The Colts did take a tough loss from the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday 29-10. Seeing how these teams match up do you see this being a close game for the Raiders today or will the Colts have home field advantage at Lucas Oil Stadium.

#5 Schools over Stadiums and Oakland A’s fans have announced that they will host a FanFest at Jack London Square on Sat Feb 24th. More details are coming. Last Dive Bar who X’d the message said they will be joined by the following groups at the FanFest, the Oakland 68s, Oakland Ballers, Oakland Roots, Oakland Soul, Oaklandish, Breast Oakland, and the Last Dive Bar. Schools over Stadiums are hoping to attend. The A’s will not host a FanFest and are expected to play their last season at the Oakland Coliseum this season and leave Oakland and play at a alternate location. This FanFest could measure in helping raise funds for Schools over Stadium’s legal fees in their campaign to get an initiative on the Nevada ballot to stop the use of public funds for the A’s Las Vegas Ballpark.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary A’s prospect: Escaped Cuba in 2021 figures in the team’s future

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Oakland A’s future prospect Luis Danys Morales (left) shakes hands with A’s assistant general manager Dan Feinstein during the signing of Morales (photo by the Oakland A’s)

A’s top prospect Escaped Cuba in 2021 figures in the team’s future

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Luis Danys Morales defected from the Cuban National Sub-23 team in México in 2021. According to MLB, in 2023, the Cuban right-handed pitcher was considered the best young international prospect—the Oakland A’s signed Morales for $3 million.

A few years earlier, when he was 18 years old, Morales was caught by Cuban authorities in Guantanamo in the process of escaping the island, but he finally defected two years ago. Libertad!

Suppose you wonder why all the talented baseball players from Cuba have been defecting for decades to come to the US. They are not treated well, as they make an equivalent of $40 to 200 dollars per month in salary in Cuban pesos.

It is important to remember that because Cuba’s communist government abolished all professional sports in the country in the 1960s, today’s players only play for the pleasure of the country, and the entity that reigns over baseball evaluates “patriotism” as crucial as their baseball skills.

They have to play under the harassment of the government. One Cuban player who defected and who is not in the major leagues told me years ago “if we do not stand for the Cuban National Anthem before the game, in Cuba or abroad, we are in dire trouble.”

Morales is 6’3″and 190 pounds, with a 99 mph fastball and good stuff in his other pitches. Scouts consider he could be a future starter in the major leagues. Born in Antilla, Cuba (in the eastern part of the country) on September 24, 2002.

In 2023, pitched for the Lansing Lug Nuts of the Midwest League High-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s. He pitched 44 innings, struck out 55 in 14 games, 13 games as a starter, and ended with a 2.86 earned run average.

The A’s have a very young and inexperienced pitching staff; they recently signed Trevor Gott for one year and $1.5 million, plus other bonuses, including if he gets traded. Trevor Gott has become the most experienced pitcher on the A’s roster, although others might be signed in the future.

Gott has pitched in the AL West with the Mariners and the Angels and in the NL West with the Giants. “We are looking to add some experience to our pitching staff and our bullpen,” A’s general manager David Forst said to the AP. “Trevor has pitched well in our division and wanted to return to the Bay Area.”“We are looking to add some experience to our pitching staff and our bullpen,” A’s general manager David Forst said to the AP. “Trevor has pitched well in our division and wanted to return to the Bay Area.”

Happy New Year!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Fall To Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 132-122

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The Dallas Mavericks Luca Doncic (77) takes a jump shot against the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Dec 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Luca Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks (19-14) scored 39 points and eight rebounds en-route to a win over the Golden State Warriors (15-17) 132-122. Golden State trailed from the beginning and never caught up. Again Warrior guard Stephen Curry got a slow start coming away with yet another disappointing first half. 

Teams are constantly double teaming Curry and the rest of the roster has to step up and they did not. Chris Paul, starting tonight, had a great game scoring 24 points. Klay Thompson continues to struggle taking the “Splash Brothers” out of the equation. Tonight he finished with three points.

Saturday night Chase Center was rocking as the Warriors took on the Mavericks. It was a huge challenge for the Warriors in this game containing Doncic. Double teaming him was the order of the day for Golden State. He had some great support in Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II and off the bench Josh Green is always a threat.

 The Warriors starting roster looked a bit different with the dependable Chris Paul and the red-hot Trayce Jackson-Davis starting tonight. The Warriors couldn’t keep Doncic under wraps that who led Dallas with 39 points towards their victory.

Game recap: The Mavericks took a 34-26 lead to finish the first quarter. Dallas is an outstanding road team and presents all sorts of problems for home teams. The Mavericks would go on to win the second quarter 29-28 in a closely contested quarter. At the half, Dallas held a 63-54 lead. The Warriors continued to hang around in this game and they were hitting nearly half of their points in the paint but just couldn’t get enough going to take the lead. 

Dallas edged the Warriors as the third quarter came to an end 38-35, still leading 101-89. This game would come down to the fourth quarter and Golden State needed some stops and getting some support for Curry could decide this game. 

The clock was running down and the Warriors were fighting to take the lead trailing 125-119 with 1:31 left in the game. Thompson did not make any impact in this game finishing with three points and two rebounds. As the clock wound down, there would be no run for Golden State, and no win losing this game 132-122. Golden State had their eighth home loss and their third loss in a row.

Every starter with the exception of Thompson scored in double digits. Curry had the team high with 25 points and Paul who started tonight had a terrific game with 24 points. Jackson-Davis finished with 17 points and Jonathan Kuminga also had a nice game with 16 points and was one of three players with nine rebounds. 

Off the bench both Dario Saric and Brandin Podziemski both had nine rebounds also. Golden State did out-rebound the Mavericks.  The Warriors only had 11 turnovers so ball protection was very good. The change in the starting roster was designed to give the team a defensive boost but it did not materialize in this game. 

The Warriors just could not handle Doncic who finished with 39 points and 10 rebounds. Three bench players finished with double digits for Dallas. Josh Green had 18 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 16 and Grant Williams finished with 10 points so some nice work from the Dallas bench.

The Warriors will continue their home-stand, their longest of the season, next Tuesday. They will be looking to get back on the winning track in 2024 as they take on the Orlando Magic with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

 

Condors 2-goal third period the difference in 4-2 win over the Barracuda

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San Jose Barracuda forward Thomas Bordeleau battles for the puck against Bakersfield Condor’s center Greg McKegg at Tech CU Arena on Saturday DEC 30, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Bakersfield Condors scored two goals in the third period en route to a 4-2 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost three out of its last five game. Bakersfield split the series with the win and has points in six consecutive games.

Bakersfield (12-10-1-2) drew first blood early in the first period on an even strength goal. Brad Malone found Carter Savoie on an odd man rush and Savoie beat ‘Cuda goalie Magnus Chrona with a wrist shot to the short side for his second goal of the season at the 1:52 mark.

San Jose (10-14-4-0) answered back with an even strength goal at the 8:10 mark. Shakir Mukhamadullin found Leon Gawanke down in the right slot. Gawanke skated in before beating Condor’s goalie Jack Campbell with a wrist shot through the five-hole for his seventh goal of the season. The rookie defenseman has scored a goal in back-to-back games.

“That’s what we’re looking for out of him,” said ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy regarding Gawanke’s recent offensive outburst. “He’s (Gawanke) got the big shot. So, we’re looking for him to get that off and get it through. He’s had some success the last couple of games.”

The Barracuda gained its first lead late in the opening frame after Tristen Robins won a faceoff inside the Condor’s zone. Nikolai Knyzhov’s shot from the point sneaked its way through a sea of traffic for his first goal of the season at the 15:19 mark. Danil Gushchin recorded the primary assist on Knyzhov’s first goal since 2020.

The Condors scored the equalizer late in the second period. A slapshot from the left point by Drake Caggiula was redirected past Chrona by Cameron Wright for his sixth goal of the season at the 16:04 mark on what was the Condors fourth shot of the period.

“I liked our first two periods. At the end of the second (period) they kind of got back in the game. In the third (period) they came out with a little push and got us on our heels and never were able to reestablish our game,” McCarthy said.

Bakersfield regained the lead at the 6:20 mark of the third period. Ben Gleason rifled a slapshot from the right point that screamed past a screened Chrona top shelf for his third goal of the season.

Gleason iced the game for Bakersfield with an empty net goal with 44 seconds remaining in the game, his second of the game and fourth of the season.

Campbell (5-6-0-1) finished the game stopping 31 of the 33 shots he faced to earn his fifth victory of the season. Chrona (3-7-2-0) made 24 saves on 27 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Bakersfield went 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Gleason 2) Knyzhov 3) Gawanke.

UP NEXT: San Jose starts the New Year off hosting the Tucson Roadrunners on Wednesday 1/3 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks hope to snap 7 game skid New Years Eve in Colorado

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The San Jose Sharks left wing William Eklund (72) led the Sharks with the most shots on goal with six is defended by the Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak (27) at SAP Center in San Jose on Thu Dec 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers didn’t waste anytime getting on the scoreboard they got a goal and assist each from Zach Hyman, Evan Bouchard and Ryan McLeod. The Oilers skated away with a 4-0 first period to pin down the Sharks who had already lost six straight games going into the contest now at seven loses in a row.

#2 The Oilers Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added goals totaling four goals in the first period and one in the second period and that was all the offensive damage the Oilers needed to win it 5-0.

#3 Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner came away with a shutout with 25 saves. Each Sharks opportunity to put it on net failed miserably no matter how hard they tried. William Eklund led San Jose with six shots on goals all stopped by Skinner.

#4 The Sharks started Magnus Chrona in his first appearance for San Jose. Chrona got lit up facing 20 shots and allowing four and later was replaced by Kaapo Kahkonen who wound up giving up a goal on 19 shots.

#5 The Sharks go back to the drawing board as they face the rough and tough Colorado Avalanche. The last time the two teams met was on Sun Dec 17 and the Aves had they’re way with a four goal 6-2 win at the Ball Center in Denver. The Sharks hope to end they’re seven game losing streak on New Years Eve a 5:00pm PT face off once again in Denver.

Mary Lisa is a San Jose Sharks beat writer and covers the Sharks road games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal Scorched Late by Sun Devils, 76-73, in Pac-12 Opener

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The Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) and the Arizona Sun Devils forward Alonzo Gaffney (8) anticipate the rebound in the second half at Maple Pavilion in Palo Alto on Fri Dec 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (5-6, 0-1 Pac-12) opened Pacific – 12 play with a disappointing loss inside Maples Pavilion, after the Arizona State Sun Devils (7-5, 1-0 Pac-12), made a blazing comeback inside the last minute of the game, 76-73.

Stanford’s 7-foot Frenchman, Maxime Raynaud opened the game with a basket on a dime of a pass from assist machine Jared Bynum. He scored six of the team’s first eight points, The Cardinal seemed to take control early in the contest.

The Sun Devils managed to tie the game twice (2-2 & 22-22) during the initial 20 minutes of the game; however, they could not get over the hump/stump. Stanford had an answer for both tie situations, including a 10-0 run after it was even at 22. The home team had a nine point advantage at recess, 37-28, with the knowledge that ASU was not going to give up on the cause.

Neither team had a double-digit scorer at the midway point. As a matter of fact, despite the great start by Raynaud, he only managed to score one more point by the midway whistle. He tallied seven points and six rebounds. Brandon Angel led with nine, and Kanaan Carlyle contributed seven off the bench. Junior guard Frankie Collins topped the Sun Devils.

In the second half, Arizona State tried to turn up the heat, but the tree seemed to be fire retardant for most of the greater part of the game. They managed to keep the game in reach, and forcing 13 turnovers and shooting double the amount of free throws of their opponent, was definitely a contributing factor for the dramatic outcome.

Stanford reached leads of ten in the first half and 12 in the second, but Arizona State kept up the fight. Maybe their coach’s personality was rubbing off on them. Bobby Hurley was a feisty point guard for the Duke Blue Devils in the 90’s, winning two national championships.

The Sun Devils scored 48 points in the second half, which was 20 more than the first, while Stanford had one less point. That made a huge difference and made it a close contest at the end. The last three minutes is when it became crunch time.

Just under the 3:00 mark, the Sun Devils got within one point for the first time since the first half. Alonzo Gaffney was on a roll scoring seven consecutive points in nearly 90 seconds. Coach Hurley was impressed: “I’m happy for him because I know he has it inside of him to do it. We trust him.”

Less than a minute later they tied the game again twice, at 71 and 73. After 39 minutes of the battle, Arizona took the lead on a fadeaway jumper by Frankie Collins, which turned out to be the game winner. After that Jamia Neal made a free throw and got the game-sealing block, when Michael Jones tried to tie the game and force overtime.

When all the smoke cleared, the Arizona State Sun Devils remained lit, while Cardinal had ashes surrounding them at home. ASU by three, 76-73!

The Cardinal had four players in double-digit scoring. Angel and Raynaud both 15, but Maxime added 15 rebounds to his total. Bynum and Carlyle both had 12; however, Jerod gave 6 assists and grabbed 5 rebounds.

Arizona State also had four 10+ point scorers: Gaffney (12), Collins (12), Adam Miller (13) and Kamari Lands (13).

The Cardinal will next be in action New Year’s Eve Sunday, hosting the #4 Arizona Wildcats at 1 PM PDT, while Arizona State will go across the Bay on the same date to play Cal, at 5 PM PDT.

Cal Shellacked by Arizona in first game of conference play 100-81

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Arizona Wildcats guard Caleb Love (2) takes a shot against the Cal Bears Jalen Cone (left) in first half action at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Fri Dec 29, 2023 (AP News photo)

Friday, Dec. 29, 2023

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Arizona Wildcats 100 (10-2)

California Golden Bears 81 (4-8)

By Stephen Ruderman

The California Golden Bears were absolutely routed by the Fourth-Ranked Arizona Wildcats, 100-81, in their first game of Pac-12 play this season.

The Bears, who went an abysmal 3-29 last season, were off to a 4-7 start in non-conference play this season. Their first Pac-12 opponent would be one of the best teams in the country, the number-four Arizona Wildcats. To simplify it, it was over from the get-go.

There was no scoring for the first minute of the game, but afterwards, the Wildcats just unloaded, as they jumped out to a 24-5 lead just eight minutes and 12 seconds in, and eventually a 35-10 lead with 8:50 to go. The Wildcats’ defense also shined, as missed shots and a pair of turnovers burned the Bears in the early going.

The Wildcats kept the ramage up throughout the remainder of the first period. The Bears were simply just omermatched, and Arizona ended up going into the half with a 54-26 lead.

However, the Bears did put up a bit of a fight in the second period, as they started things off with a 17-9 run in just the first three minutes and 36 seconds. The Bears then kept a steady pace with the Wildcats the rest of the way.

The Bears outscored Arizona in the second period, 55-46, and for a team rebounding from an abysmal season last year to have a decent second period against a powerhouse like the Wildcats can be considered a small victory.

Jaylon Tyson led the scoring for the Bears with 22 points. Jale Celestine scored 14 points, and Fardaws Aimaq scored 10. However, the team also missed a lot of shots, as Tyson was 8-for-16.

For the Wildcats, Caleb Love scored 22 points; was 7-for-10 in field goals; and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Motieju Krivas scored 18 points, and Oumar Ballo scored 17, as both were 6-for-7 in field goals.

The Bears will take on the Arizona State Sun Devils at Haas Pavilion on New Years Eve Sunday evening. Tipoff will be at 5 p.m.