Category: Cal Bears

1st Game of the 2026, 1st Dub of the 2026. Golden Bears beat the Fighting Irish, 72-71

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

California Golden Bear forward Chris Bell #22 shoots a contested mid-range shot over Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Braeden Shrewsberry #11 on Friday night at the Haas Pavilion. (Photo Credit to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – On Friday night, January 2, 2026, the California Golden Bears defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 72-71 at Haas Pavilion in their final exciting 8-game homestand. Cal’s victory was their first in the ACC and second of the season.

Cal was coming off its first loss at Haas Pavilion, 90-70 to No. 16/13 Louisville on December 30 in both teams’ Atlantic Coast Conference openers. The Cardinals’ strong shooting proved to be the difference, with five players scoring in double figures. Cal had four players in double figures, led by Chris Bell’s 20-point performance.

Cal’s second ACC home game of the 2025-26 season took place Thursday night, capping off an eight-game homestand. The Bears’ first test of the new year came against a 10-4 Notre Dame.

The visiting Fighting Irish started the game with Jalen Haralson, Logan Imes, Braeden Shrewsberry, Carson Towt, and Garrett Sundra. The five set the tone early on, led by Haralson, who started the game on pace. He started the game 4-for-4 from the floor, including two corner three-pointers, which provided Notre Dame with a quick offensive push.

Cal’s starting lineup included John Camden, Dai Dai Ames, Lee Dort, Justin Pippen, and Chris Bell. Camden, who had already made 40 three-pointers for the Bears this season and had made at least one in every game, got off to a slow start, going 0-for-3 on field goals and three-pointers.

The first half was all Notre Dame, with the Fighting Irish coming out of Cal’s house strong, fast, and disciplined. They hit 58% from the field and 57% from three-point range in the first ten minutes, putting early stress on the Golden Bears. Cal struggled to find a rhythm, connecting on only 23% of their total shots and 13% from deep.

The game was physical on both sides, as both teams were eager to begin the year with a dub. The Golden Bears attempted nine free throws in the first half and made six, while Notre Dame was only 2-of-8 at the line. Despite the poor shooting and early setbacks, Cal was determined to get back on track. The Bears trailed 31-27 at halftime, keeping the game within reach for the second half.

The Bears played much better in the second half, with an intensity of awareness and focus that allowed them to play smarter, more precise basketball. Cal made four of their first five shots in the first six minutes, taking advantage on a three-minute scoring drought by Notre Dame. Justin Pippen was the driving force in raising his point count from six to fourteen while boosting the Bears’ offense.

Overall, Cal’s shooting improved, especially from deep. With seven minutes remaining, the Bears led by seven points, their largest lead of the night. However, the Fighting Irish remained fighting, shooting reliably and making tough shots when needed. Notre Dame had cut its lead to one with four minutes left in the game.

The Bears then went cold, making only one of ten field goals the rest of the way, giving the Irish the lead again. With two minutes remaining, Notre Dame’s Cole Serta made a critical three-pointer, giving the Irish the lead. Then, with only nine seconds remaining and the Bears down 71-68, Dai Dai Ames scored a three-pointer and was fouled, completing a four-point play that gave Cal a 72-71 lead with 2.6 seconds left. The Golden Bears won the game by holding on defensively in the final seconds.

Ames led Cal with 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, 1 rebound, and 3 assists, while Chris Bell had 15 points and 5 rebounds. The win gave the Bears their first ACC conference victory and improved their overall record to 13-2 into the new year.

Cal will return to play on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, when they face the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA, tipping off at 6 p.m., ready for another tough conference game.

Cal Bears game wrap: Bears welcomed to ACC play with brutal awakening in 90-70 loss to Louisville

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Louisville Cardinal guard Adrian Wooley (14) takes a shot against Cal Bears forward Chris Bell (22) in second half action at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Tue Dec 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Louisville Cardinals 90 (11-2 Overall; 1-0 ACC)

California Golden Bears 70 (10-2 Overall; 0-1 ACC)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–The Bears were welcomed to ACC play with a brutal awakening, as they fought the good fight, but were ultimately pummeled by the 16th-ranked Louisville Cardinals 90-70.

The Bears got off to a 12-1 start, one of their best starts in a long time, as they dominated non-conference play. While many of the Bears’ 12 wins came against lesser known schools, they still had some wins against elite teams like UCLA. There has also been an excitement brewing around the Bears, who have not had a winning season in nine years.

As the Bears start playing the big teams on a regular basis, they would be met with the best of the best from the very getgo. Tonight, the 16th-ranked Louisville Cardinals came to Haas Pavilion for the beginning of ACC play.

Haas Pavilion wasn’t filled to capacity, but a fairly-large crowd showed up nevertheless. Many excited Bears’ fans showed up, but many Cardinals’ fans showed as well. Perhaps a lot of them made the long journey from Kentucky to the Bay Area, which is a worthy trip.

As for the game, the Bears won the opening tip, but knocked the ball out of bounds. That seemed to set the tone for how tonight’s game would go. The Cardinals made Cal pay for the fumbled tip, as Sanandra Fru made an alleyoop dunk.

That was just the start for Louisville, who jumped out to an early 10-lead. The Cardinals dominated the first half, and eventually got out to a 36-15 lead with 5:53 left.

The Bears then went on a 10-0 run to suddenly cut Louisville’s lead to 36-25. Adrian Woolet and J’Vonne Hadley responded with threes to make it 42-25, but the Bears kept going. Justin Pippen hit a three with 57 seconds remaining to make it 44-31 and get the crowd back into the game.

Chris Bell would also hit a three for Cal, but Fru and Wooley scored for Louisville, who went into halftime up 14 points at 48-34.

The Cardinals opened their lead up to 25 points at 73-48 with 8:26 remaining in the second half. However, Cal made one last push, as they scored 14 unanswered points in just under two minutes. Bell hit a three to cut it to 73-62 with 6:44 remaining.

Unfortunately, the Cardinals seized control right back, and won it 90-70.

Ryan Conwell led the way for the Cardinals with 26 points, and Adrian Wooley was not too far behind with 21. For Cal, Chris Bell and Justin Pippen were able to cut through Louisville’s defense, and scored 20 and 17 points respectively.

All you can say is that the Bears ran into a juggernaut tonight, as they dropped just their second game of the season. Unfortunately, they are 0-1 in ACC play, which is what ultimately counts the most.

The Bears will need to put this one behind them. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will come to Haas Pavilion Friday night.

Tipoff will be at 8 p.m.

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman: Louisville crushes it 90-70; Cal can’t get past Cardinals in either half

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Taking a look at the Cal Bears Top 40 players guard Dai Dai Ames (7), forward Chris Bell (22), forward John Camden (2). Cal currently is on a nine game win streak. (photo by Cal Bears X)

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman Tue Dec 30, 2025:

#1 How will Cal’s star guard Dai Dai Ames manage Louisville’s defensive pressure?
Ames leads Cal in scoring and three-point efficiency — can he replicate his offensive rhythm against a top-20 Cardinal defense?

#2 Can Justin Pippen’s playmaking and pace-setting control the tempo early?
As one of Cal’s primary ball-handlers, how effective will Pippen be in initiating offense and limiting turnovers against Louisville’s perimeter defenders?

#3 What kind of impact will John Camden have on both ends of the floor?
Camden has been a consistent threat inside and beyond the arc — how will his scoring and rebounding influence Cal’s ability to stay close?

#4 How might Lee Dort’s rebounding and interior defense affect Louisville’s second-chance points?
Dort is one of Cal’s key rebounders — will he be able to contain Louisville in the paint and limit extra possessions?

#5 Which supporting Cal players Chris Bell, Jovani Ruff, or Milos Ilic will step up to provide complementary scoring?
Beyond the primary stars, can Bell and others deliver timely baskets to keep Cal competitive throughout the game?

Stephen Ruderman is a Cal Bears beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears game wrap: Ames and Camden carry Bears to dominant 74-56 win over Columbia to end non-conference play

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal Bears forward Lee Dort (34) dribble drives against the Columbia Lions at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sun Dec 21, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Columbia Lions (9-3)

California Golden Bears 74 (12-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–Dai Dai Ames and John Camden dominated each half respectively, and the Bears crushed the Columbia Lions 74-56 to close non-conference play.

The Bears carried their 11-1 start into today’s game against Columbia Lions of the Ivy League. The Lions haven’t been shabby either, as they came in with a record of 9-2.

The opening minutes of this one were relatively quiet. John Camden hit a three with less than a minute in to open the scoring, but the game was tied 4-4 five minutes in.

Dai Dai Ames came through with a dunk and a jumper to give the Bears an 8-4 lead. When the halfway point of the first half approached, that’s when the Bears’ offense finally came to life.

In just under a minute and a half, Nolan Dorsey hit a three; Ames made a layup; and Chris Bell hit a layup and jumper in the paint. Suddenly, the Bears had opened up a 17-4 lead.

The remainder of the first half was mainly uneventful, though Mark Madsen stayed fired up the entire time nevertheless. The Bears went into halftime with a 28-16 lead. Ames dominated the first half with 12 points, and Bell was not too far behind with eight.

The Lions showed up with a little more fire in the opening minutes of the second half. The Bears’ lead remained between nine and 12 points until Camden hit a jumper with 13:15 remaining.

The Bears truly opened it up near the halfway mark of the second half. Dorsey made a layup, and Justin Pippen and Camden both hit threes to put the Bears lead at 56-35.

The Lions never gave up. They went on a 9-2 run to cut the Bears lead to 65-52 with 2:52 left. The Lions also played aggressive defense in the latter part of the second half.

However, the Bears still won easily by a final of 74-56.

The man who really came alive in the second half was John Camden. His three to open the scoring in the first minute of the game was his only scoring in the first half. Camden scored 14 points in the second, and 17 overall.

Camden’s 17 points were second to Dai Dai Ames, who scored 19. Ames scored seven points in the second half.

Now, the Bears will face a real test, as ACC play will get underway next week. The Bears dominated non-conference play, which featured many matchups against lesser-known schools.

The Bears’ first match in ACC play will be against the 11th-ranked Louisville Cardinals next Tuesday at Haas Pavilion. The Bears beat 18th-ranked UCLA in November, so they are certainly capable of going up against the elite teams. We will see next Tuesday.

Tipoff will be at 6 p.m.

BEAR ATTACK!: Cal Berkeley Golden Bears beat Morgan State University Bears, 97-50

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Morgan State Guard Walter Peggs Jr, drives into the lane who is heavily contested by Cal Berkeley forward Dhiaukuei “DK” Manyiel Dut. (Photo credits to Sports Radio Services Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – Cal men’s basketball has again transformed its home court into a fortress under the cold lights of “Haas of Pain.” In front of the Berkeley crowd, the Golden Bears put up a strong and effective performance, dominating the Morgan State Bears, 97-50.

Cal and Morgan State faced off on Tuesday night for the first time since November 25, 1991, at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley. Cal won that game 97-50, and with this game, the Golden Bears extended their all-time series lead to 2-0.

Cal was in the middle of an eight-game homestand and had its best start since 2014, with a 10-1 overall record entering the contest. The Bears entered the game on a seven-game winning streak, their longest since 2014, and were unbeaten at home, with a perfect 9-0 record at Haas Pavilion.

The Golden Bears began the game with a starting lineup of John Camden, Chris Bell, Lee Dort, Dai Dai Ames, and Semetri Carr, who made his first start for the team. Dort instantly set the tone for the game, exciting the fans with back-to-back alley-oop punches. Cal then solidly claimed its home turf, dominating the tempo and imposing dominance over the Morgan State Bears.

Cal guard Dai Dai Ames entered the game averaging 18.3 points per game, while forward Chris Bell continued his strong runs of play, averaging 14.2 points in his previous ten games. Bell made an immediate impact, scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds by halftime. Morgan State struggled to find an answer for Bell’s offensive mix, especially in the midrange, as he shot 3-of-6 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc in the opening half.

Cal’s shooting efficiency was on full show in the first half, as the Golden Bears made 50 percent of their three-point tries and went 4-for-8 from deep. They were just as good overall, shooting 61 percent from the floor on 17 of 28 attempts. Berkeley played with poise and discipline on offense, moving the ball around the top of the key and making timely cuts that led to easy points.

The Golden Bears took care of the ball, causing only three turnovers as a team by halftime, while their defensive drive pushed Morgan State into six turnovers before the break. Morgan State was overwhelmed offensively, trying to find any rhythm and shooting 0-for-10 from outside the arc at halftime, while Cal maintained its momentum into the second half. At the break, the Golden Bears led 50-23.

Cal did not stop after the break, continuing to dominate on both ends of the court. Chris Bell led the squad with 28 points (8-of-11 shooting), six rebounds, and two assists. John Camden finished with 20 points, giving the Bears multiple scoring options that Morgan State couldn’t handle. Cal combined for 42 points in the paint and 21 points on the fast break, proving their depth and versatility. The Golden Bears won by nearly 50 points with a 97-50 triumph, dominating from start to finish and exiting Haas Pavilion with another statement win.

With their win, the Golden Bears improved to 11-1 overall and remained perfect at home with an 11-0 record. Cal returns to the “Haas of Pain” on Sunday, December 21st at 2 p.m. to host the Columbia Lions. The game will be aired and shown on the ACC Network

Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva: Cal’s 97-50 win gives them their best start since 1959

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal Bears forward Chris Bell (22) takes a shot against the Morgan State Bears Manok Lual (22) at Haas Pavilion on Fri Dec 19, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

Cal Bears podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Michael talk about the job the Cal Bears did tonight absolutely dominated on offense with a win over the Morgan State Bears (2-9) of Baltimore in a contest that wasn’t even close.

#2 Cal’s leading scorer Chris Bell led with 28 points. Bell was just simply difficult to defend and had his way with Morgan State’s defense.

#3 Cal’s John Camden followed up with 20 points, Camden was getting his shot working and mismatched Morgan State in the Cal 97-50.

#4 Cal with the win is now 11-1 and this is their best start since 1959. Cal is undfeated at home.

#5 Cal hosts the Columbia Lions who after winning seven straight snapped their win streak against the Stony Brook Seawolves 77-73. This game will be played at Cal on Sunday at 2:00 pm PT Michael what are your thoughts going into this one?

Michael Nueueva covers the Cal Bears for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears game wrap: Camden and Ames help Bears pull off surprisingly-close 79-70 win over Northwestern State

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Northwestern State Demons Justin Redmond (13) and Chris Mubiru (11) defend against the Cal Bears forward Lee Dort (34) at Haas Pavilion on Sat Dec 13, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Northwestern State Demons 70 (2-8)

California Golden Bears 79 (10-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–It was a close one—and perhaps closer than some people thought it should have been—but John Camden and Dai Dai Ames carried the Bears to a 79-70 win over the Northwestern State Demons to keep their hot start alive, and get their 10th win.

After a 93-71 rout of Dominican on Tuesday, the Bears were 9-1, and off to their best start in 11 years. Today, they looked to get their 10th win against the Northwestern State Demons of the lesser-known Southland Conference. The Demons came into today’s game with a record of 2-7, but once this game got underway, that would prove to mean absolutely nothing.

The Bears got off to a strong start. John Camden hit a three, a little over a minute in, to open the scoring. Izzy Miles was fouled, and hit one of two from the line to put the Demons on the board. Chris Bell then scored two more for Cal with a layup; and Camden was fouled, and hit both shots from the line.

Cal had an early 7-1 lead, and the early vibes of this game seemed to indicate that it would be all Bears today. The Demons cut it to 7-5, but the Bears got back to a six-point lead when Semetri Carr hit a three to make it 14-8.

However, the Bears’ offense suddenly went quiet in the middle of the first half. The Demons showed that they were going to be a tough match for the Bears today, and they went on an 18-6 run to take a 26-20 lead with 6:29 to go.

Cal sprung back to life in the final minutes of the first half. Carr hit a three, and Miles Iloc delivered a layup to make it 26-25. 

The middle of the first half may have been quiet, but the end was going to be quite dramatic, and even a bit chaotic. With the Demons up 32-31 and 1:15 to go, Nolan Dorsey stole the ball, and passed it to Camden, who hit a three to put the Bears up 34-32.

Miles was fouled, and hit two from the line to tie it. Demons Head Coach Rick Cabrera was hit with a technical foul with 27 seconds remaining, and Camden hit one of two from the line to put the Bears back ahead. 

Justin Redmond hit a three with six seconds left. to give the Demons the lead again. Dai Dai Ames then beat out the clock with a driving layup to tie the game going into the half. The play was confirmed after review, and it was the shot in the arm the Bears needed going into the second half.

Ames only scored seven points in the first half, but his thrilling layup was just the beginning of what would turn out to be a big night for him. 

It was 37-37 going into the second half, and the second half was jam packed with action. The lead changed hands several more times, and the Demons had a five-point lead at 58-53 with 12:19 to go.

However, the Bears never relented, and Camden and Ames led the charge in the second half. Camden and Ames both hit threes, and the Bears were right back ahead at 59-58.

The Demons were ahead again. They led it 65-62 with 7:25 left on the clock after a three by Jumawan. Lee Dort then came through with a dunk to make it 65-64, and Ames made a layup to put the Bears back ahead at 66-65. 

Ames’ layup would prove to be the final lead change of the game. There would not be any more scoring for nearly two minutes, but Camden slammed one down after a steal by Dort to make it 68-65.

Carr and Dort were both fouled, and both hit each of their two shots from the line. The Bears had finally taken control of the game, as they had a seven point lead at 72-65. It was the first time either team held a seven-point lead in this one.

The Bears ended up winning by a final of 79-70.

John Camden led the way with 16 points in the second half, and 25 overall. He was also 6-for-9 from beyond the arc for the game. Dai Dai Ames scored 13 points in the second half to cap off a 20-point performance. Believe it or not, Ames was only 5-for-11 in field goals for the second half, but he was 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in that same period.

The Bears are now off to a 10-1 start, their best start in 11 years.

The Bears have two games left in non-conference play. They will take on the Morgan State Bears of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference next Friday night at Haas Pavilion. That will be followed up two days later by a Sunday matinee against the Columbia Lions of the Ivy League.

Tipoff against the Morgan State Bears next Friday will be at 7 p.m.

Cal Golden Bears remain perfect at home as they defeat the Dominican Penguins, 93-71

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Dominican Penguin guard Nanik Tagore shoots a contested three pointer over California Golden Bear Justin Pippen. (Photo credits to Michael Villanueva Sports Radio Services.)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – The California Golden Bears welcomed the Dominican Penguins on Tuesday night at Haas Pavilion, with the game starting at 7:00 p.m. in front of another loud home crowd. The game featured two clubs that were on a roll early in the season. Dominican entered the match at 5-1, riding a two-game winning run but still looking for its first road victory since losing to Stanislaus State on November 22. Cal who is piling up wins tallied another one with a win over the Penguins 93-71.

Cal started the game with a familiar lineup: John Camden, Chris Bell, Justin Pippen, Lee Dort, and Dai Dai Ames. Ames began the night as the Bears’ leading scorer, averaging 18.6 points per game while shooting 55% from the floor, while Pippen led the team in playmaking with 4.3 assists per game.

The Bears came in on a five-game winning streak and stayed perfect at home, improving to 8-0 at Haas Pavilion. With both teams playing confident basketball and looking to build on their momentum, the stage was set for an interesting nonconference matchup.

Golden Bear Justin Pippen got the game rolling on a three pointer, but things turned south real fast. The Dominican Penguins overall dominated the first half, while the Golden Bears struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Cal shot only 18% from the field, going 6-of-33, while Dominican took advantage of the Bears’ slow start with consistent execution on the opposite end. The Penguins converted 10 of their 24 shots, shooting 42% and controlling the pace for much of the game.

Cal’s shooting struggles stretched beyond the arc, with the Bears starting 1-of-14 from deep and making only 7% of their three-point efforts. Despite their poor start, the Bears came alive in the final minutes of the half. A late 6-0 offensive surge gave them a boost and cut Dominican’s lead, sending Cal into the locker room trailing 31-28.

The Golden Bears returned from the locker room with fresh energy, playing with significantly more urgency on both ends of the court. Their offense began to settle down as Cal upped its shooting to 36% for the half, including a surge from the perimeter, where they shot 26% from three. The defensive pressure also increased substantially, pushing the Penguins to make numerous blunders. Dominican had already committed 14 turnovers with six minutes remaining, allowing Cal to take control of the game.

Justin Pippen fueled the Bears’ comeback, dominating the game down the stretch. He finished with a team-high 24 points on 6-of-14 shooting, including three of seven from beyond the arc. John Camden provided an important spark as well, scoring 18 points and matching Pippen’s 6-of-14 shooting effort.

Dominican’s attack crumbled as Cal kept up the pace. The Penguins went scoreless from the field in the final five minutes, relying on free throws to keep within reach, but it wasn’t enough to slow the Bears’ momentum. Cal finished the night with a dominating 93-71 comeback win.

Nick Medeiros led the Penguins with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting, but Dominican couldn’t match Cal’s second-half surge.

The California Golden Bears will return to action on December 13th, 2025 at 2pm back in the Haas Pavilion to host the Northwestern State Devils (2-7). The Bears also remain perfect at home as they are (9-1) on the season and (8-0) at home.

Bears remain Golden & Undefeated at home as they beat Pacific Tigers, 67-61

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Pacific Tigers Justin Rochelin (1) drives to the paint for a layup, but is heavily contested on defense by Golden Bears Chris Bell (22) (Photo by Michael Villanueva Sports Radio Service)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY -Happy first Saturday of December in the Berkeley Hills, where the Cal Bears defeated the Pacific Tigers 67-61 in a matinee where they had faced off at 2 p.m Saturday afternoon. In a game featuring two teams on four-game winning streaks.

Pacific enters the weekend on a roll, having won four straight games, including a solid 80-65 road win over the Air Force Falcons on December 3. Elias Ralph had dropped 31 points in Pacific’s victory. The Tigers have held their own on the road, going 2-2 and averaging 75.0 points per game while outscoring opponents by 10.0 points.

On the other side, the Golden Bears have been nearly untouchable at Haas Pavilion, boasting a perfect 6–0 record on their home floor. Cal is also fresh off a high win, taking down the University of Utah 79–72 on December 2nd to extend its win streak to four. Dai Dai Ames had dropped 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting on the floor. Head coach Mark Madsen enters this matchup 0–1 against Pacific, with his first-ever loss as Cal’s head coach coming against the Tigers two years ago — a result he and the Golden Bears will look to avenge this afternoon.

These teams last met on November 10th, 2023, when Pacific defeated Cal in Berkeley 87-79. Despite the loss, the Golden Bears have a 27-3 series lead as they prepare to defend their home floor once again. The Bears are on game #2 out of their 8 game homestand that will end on January 2nd, 2026.

The Pacific Tigers’ starting lineup included a good blend of size and guard play. In the frontcourt, Elias Ralph and Isaac Jack provide length, rebounding activity, and interior presence. Justin Rochelin, Kajus Kublickas, and TJ Wainwright make up the Tigers’ backcourt trio, providing the team with ball-handling, perimeter scoring, and defensive versatility to start the afternoon.

The Golden Bears’ starting lineup has a good combination of guard play and frontcourt size. In the backcourt, Dai Dai Ames and Justin Pippen play guard, providing Cal with a dangerous scoring and playmaking pair. Lee Dort, John Camden, and DeJuan Campbell complete the starting lineup, offering rebounding, interior strength, and midrange shooting. Dort is Cal’s leading rebounder, averaging 6.5 rebounds per game, while Pippen leads the team in assists with 4.6. This was also DeJuan Campbell’s first start of the season.

From tip-off to the first five minutes, the Golden Bears struck first. Cal got on the board after Pacific’s Justin Rochelin was called for a personal foul on Dai Dai Ames, who went 1-of-2 from the line for the afternoon’s opening points. The Bears quickly established an aggressive tone by applying high-energy, full-court pressure that caught the Tigers off guard. Pacific’s first offensive possession resulted in a turnover, and with Cal’s defense swarming and controlling the pace early on, the Tigers were forced to call a quick timeout just four minutes into the game.

The Tigers struggled to find their flow after the timeout, going on a four-minute scoring drought and committing numerous turnovers, including shot-clock violations. Pacific’s only source of offence was Isaac Jack, who scored all six of the Tigers’ points in the first eight minutes of the game with quick, decisive finishes in the lane. Aside from Jack’s production, Pacific struggled to find a rhythm, going 4-of-17 from the field in the first 10 minutes (24%).

Meanwhile, the Golden Bears continued to put pressure on both ends. Cal’s offense was on fire, shooting an efficient 9-of-13 (69%) from the field and 4-of-6 from beyond the arc (67%) as they gained early momentum and controlled the game’s pace.

The Tigers slowly settled into an offensive rhythm, thanks to Isaac Jack’s ability to create easy looks in the paint. Pacific began using him as a focal point at the top of the key, allowing the rest of the offence to either cut to the hoop or spread out on the perimeter. The change provided much-needed momentum, as the Tigers connected on three consecutive offensive opportunities, cutting the lead to ten points.

Cal, on the other hand, remained in control for the majority of the half thanks to its strong shooting and efficient passing. John Camden, Justin Pippen, Chris Bell, and Lee Dort all scored more than five points early, providing the Bears a variety of scoring options and stretching Pacific’s defence. Despite their great start, the Golden Bears experienced a three-minute scoring drought late in the half.

At halftime, Cal led 36-27. Despite Pacific’s 14-rebound advantage, which was mostly driven by Jack’s inside presence, the Tigers’ persistent shooting struggles prevented them from narrowing the distance. Pacific entered the half shooting only 33% from the floor, but the Golden Bears maintained their lead by impacting the game defensively and shooting over 45% in all categories.

The Golden Bears scored first again in the second half, this time with Justin Pippen hitting a free throw after drawing a personal foul on Kajus Kublickas, going 1-for-1 from the line. Cal remained true to its defensive identity, sticking with tight man-to-man coverage while adding a 3-2 pressure zone that extended high and interrupted Pacific’s early drives.

Despite their defensive persistence, the Bears struggled offensively, going 0-for-5 within the first five minutes. The Tigers took the opportunity and began playing with significantly more composure than they had in the first half. Pacific moved the ball with patience, attacked from better angles, and discovered cleaner looks.

The momentum changed quickly. The Tigers put together an 8-0 field goal run, cutting Cal’s lead to five points. TJ Wainwright started the charge with back-to-back three-pointers, giving energy and trust in Pacific’s bench. Meanwhile, Isaac Jack continued his strong effort inside, recording a double-double with 10 minutes left in the game.

Pacific refused not give up in the dying minutes, battling till the final whistle. The Tigers put together a late run, scoring six straight points to cut the lead to three, putting the Golden Bears on high alert. But when they needed it the most, Cal’s defence tightened. Pacific went scoreless on its final three offensive opportunities, and Lee Dort delivered the dagger – a game-winning block on Tigers guard Jaden Clayton that ended Pacific’s final effort to win the game.

The Golden Bears hung on for a 67-61 victory.  Justin Pippen led all Cal scorers with 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting, while Dai Dai Ames matched his scoring ability with 15 points on 4-of-8 from the field to anchor the backcourt.

The Tigers were led by Isaac Jack, who had 19 points and 16 rebounds, controlling the post on both ends and keeping Pacific in reach all afternoon. TJ Wainwright also reached double figures, scoring 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including a pair of crucial three-pointers that sparked the Tigers’ second-half surge.

The Pacific Tigers are now 7-3 and will return home to Stockton, California, on Thursday, November 13th, to meet the Simpson University Red Hawks. The Tigers will look to build on their competitive performance today and continue their quest for consistency on both sides of the court in front of their home crowd.

The Golden Bears remain undefeated at home, going 7-0 at Haas Pavilion and 8-1 overall this season. Cal will return home to face the Dominican Penguins on Tuesday, December 9th, at 7:00 p.m., hoping to extend their unbeaten record in Berkeley and build on their excellent start to the season.

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman: Cal hosts Pacific Saturday; Cal on four game win streak

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cal Bears forward Lee Dort (34) is excited at the conclusion of the win over the Utah Utes on Tue Dec 2, 2025 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (Cal Bears X photo)

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 With Cal Bears guards like Dai Dai Ames and Justin Pippen in Cal’s backcourt, how might their perimeter defense and shooting had put pressure on the Utah Utes defense?

#2 Can forwards such as Chris Bell or Lee Dort use their size advantage to dominate the paint, to limit Utah’s interior scoring, and control the boards if they face a smaller pilot front line?

#3 Given that Cal’s roster also includes centers like Milos Ilic and Mantas Kocanas, how might their presence affect Utah’s ability to drive to the rim or get second-chance points?

#4 Considering Utah’s fast-paced style, how would Cal — with a mix of experienced players like DeJuan Campbell and newcomers — aim to control tempo and avoid getting caught in a run-and-gun exchange?

#5 If Cal’s rotation extends to freshmen guards such as Luke Butler or Jorell Clark, how much trust should the team put in young players’ composure under pressure when defending a team like the Utes?

Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman is heard each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com