Category: Cal Bears

Mustang Mash: Cal In Danger of Missing The ACC Tournament After An 81-77 Loss to SMU

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–The Cal Bears season has added a measure of intrigue that isn’t exactly ideal.

The Bears loss to SMU on Wednesday puts them in the undesirable position of possibly missing the ACC Tournament, if they fall behind Boston College in the league standings and finish among the bottom three teams.

What didn’t seem likely was marred by what is now a five-game losing streak after SMU had their way in a wire-to-wire 81-77 win at Haas Pavilion. Cal now has three regular season games meeting with their one shot at Boston College coming up first on Saturday.

Chuck Harris led the Mustangs with 21 points and B.J. Edwards added 18 in the visitors win in which they led with the exception of a moment with 5:33 remaining where the score was tied at 66. Samet Yigitoglu’s free throw gave SMU the lead again, then his dunk 30 seconds after that extended the lead to 69-66.

The Bears’ poor shooting doomed their evening with just 39 percent shooting from the floor. In addition, they missed 10 free throws. All the misfiring hurt a positive defensive effort that saw them force 18 turnovers.

Jeremiah Wilkinson led Cal with 20 points, but he missed 11 of his 18 shots from the floor. Mady Sissoko added 16 points and eight rebounds.

The Mustangs won for the sixth consecutive time on the road to give their NCAA Tournament hopes a major boost. Currently, they appear to be outside the field of 68 but have only one or two teams to jump to get into the field. For them, that’s quite a turn as they began January with a pair of decisive losses to Duke and North Carolina.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal tips off against Georgia Tech Thursday nite in the battle for seventh place

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Cal Bears guard Lulu Twidale (10) takes the ball up the floor against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Cassell Coliseum at Blacksburg Virginia on Sun Feb 23, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Tough loss for Cal last Sunday at Virginia Tech a close game 87-84.

#2 The Hokies just wouldn’t bend in that crucial fourth quarter edging out the Golden Bears 23-21 was just a matter of Cal having an off night or the Hokies hit the books on Cal and studied film and were prepared?

#3 How surprising was it that the Bears who had the better record at 22-8 were turned back by a Hokies team that was 18-10. Sometimes those records just don’t matter on any given night in the NCAA.

#4 Morris hard as they tried lets take a look at some of Cal’s top scorers from Sunday’s game Marta Suarez 20 points, Ioanna Krimili 19, and Kayla Williams with 17 points talk about their efforts to try and keep up with the Hokies on Sunday.

#5 Next up for the Cal Bears the Georgia Yellow Jackets who aren’t no slouch at 21-8. The Jackets are eighth and are just one game behind Cal in the ACC for seventh place. Do you see the Bears regrouping and coming after the Jackets at Haas Pavilion on Thursday night which could be a real battle?

Join Morris Phillips for the Cal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Tech Tough: Cal Women Come Up Short at Virginia Tech, Lose 87-84

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By Morris Phillips

The Cal women’s dilemma regarding turnovers took on a new dimension on Sunday afternoon: while they found a way to hold on the ball, they couldn’t dislodge it from host Virginia Tech, gets stops or force enough missed shots.

A defense without teeth… on the road, on Tech’s Senior Day was not the recipe for a significant win. The Bears fell in their final road game of the season, 87-84 in a game where any defensive stop–even one of a possession or two–could have changed the outcome.

“I just think we didn’t defend well enough,” coach Charmin Smith said. “They shot the ball well. We had trouble guarding ball screen action and it’s just one of those games where we did a lot of things right offensively but couldn’t prevent them from scoring. It’s frustrating and disappointing. We had opportunities and we couldn’t capitalize.”

The Hokies shot 55 percent from the floor, and committed just five turnovers in 40 minutes, a new school-record low. Still Cal never wavered or went away, and Ioanna Krimili’s made basket would have tied the game with 13 seconds remaining would have tied the game had her foot not been on the 3-point line.

With the game tied at 69 with 5:39 remaining, Carleigh Wenzel’s short jump shot gave Tech a lead they wouldn’t relinquish down the stretch. Cal shot 53 percent from the floor in the fourth quarter, along with 7 for 7 shooting from the foul line but could never get even or gain a lead after Wenzel’s make.

Wenzel and Mathilda Ekh led the Hokies with 19 points each, and Carys Baker added 14. The Bears put four starters in double figures, led by Marta Suarez with 20 and Krimili with 19. Michelle Onyiah fouled out in the final seconds of the third quarter and played just 13 minutes and scored 8 points.

More than 6,000 attended the game, Tech’s final home game of the season after their disappointing overtime loss to Stanford on Thursday. The Hokies were no doubt motivated by that loss and a soft NCAA bubble that seemingly has them as the only team in America that is neither in or out of March Madness. One thing seems certain: Virginia Tech (17-10, 8-8) is the only unresolved Power 4 team, and that alone had them poised for a big performance, and they delivered.

What Did Coach Smith Say At Halftime?: Bears Come Roaring Out Of the Locker Room To Capture 76-70 Win Over Virginia

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By Morris Phillips

You bring your shooters, we bring our shooters. That’s a scenario the Cal women prefer.

That scene materialized on a blustery, cold Thursday night at Virginia, and Cal capitalized with a crucial 76-70 road win over the host Cavaliers.

Ioanna Krimili made the most of what the Virginia defense offered with season highs in 3-point attempts (13) and makes (6). The graduate senior led Cal with 18 points along with Michelle Onyiah. Lulu Twidale had 15, and Kayla Williams 14 as the Bears starters spread the wealth from a scoring perspective.

Cal came roaring out of the locker room at halftime after a sluggish first half that saw them trailing 35-30. The turnaround was immediate with Cal scoring the first 17 points after the break to take their first 10-point lead of the night. Virginia responded at that point with a 12-point burst to get even, but Cal’s balanced attack won out in the fourth quarter.

“The beginning of the third quarter, they went on like a 17-0 run or something like that and you know that killed me,” Virginia coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton said. “I think I called two timeouts during that time because we just weren’t clicking.”

The Bears (22-6, 10-5) now have their most wins in a season since 2017. They also moved closer to securing a first-round bye in the upcoming ACC Tournament in Greensboro, NC which takes place the second week of March.

Kymora Johnson led Virginia with 24 points. Paris Clark had 12 for the hosts, and Edessa Noyan added 11.

The Bears conclude their road swing at Virginia Tech on Sunday. The Hokies were involved but not resolved in the ACC game of the night, losing at home to Stanford, 75-74 in overtime.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Bears take on Virginia tonight at John Paul Jones Arena to start road trip

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The Cal Bears will meet the Virginia Cavaliers Thu Feb 20, 2025 at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottsville VA with a 4:00pm PT tip off (photo by Cal Bears Athletic Dept)

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 The Cal Bears are coming off a two game homestand sweep over the Boston College Eagles and the Syracuse Orange. Cal (21-6) will got back east for their final regular season road trip starting at Virginia on Thursday at 4pm PT.

#2 In the history of both Cal and Virginia this will be their sixth meeting and the Cavaliers are 3-2 in that history. The Cavaliers also have two wins over Cal in the NCAA Tournament. The last time these two clubs met was 2018 in the NCAA Tournament with a 68-62.

#3 If Cal can pull off a win tonight it would give them their most wins since the 2016-17 season when they won 24 games.

#4 The Bears will be keyed in on the Cavaliers Kymora Johnson who leads the team with 17.5 points per game and was named the All ACC second team and All Freshman from last season.

#5 In the last game Cal played on Sun Feb 16th at Syracuse as Cal led with guard Kayla Williams 21 points, forward Marta Suarez finished in second with 16 points. Talk about their game against the Orange and how important Williams and Suarez is to Cal.

Cal Bears podcasts are heard Thursdays with Cal Bears beat writer Morris Phillips at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford hoping to end 2 game skid against Cal Saturday

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Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) drives on Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) at Cameron Indoor Arena in Durham North Carolina on Sat Feb 15, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Stanford Cardinal came into Duke University on Sat Feb 15 hoping to bounce back from a tough loss to the Georgia Tech on Wed Feb 12th 60-52 but got destroyed by the Blue Devils 106-70.

#2 In the first half Duke offense was unstoppable scoring 49 points to Stanford’s 34. The Cardinal simply couldn’t do anything with Duke’s defense that prevented them to get inside all first half long.

#3 Duke turned it up a notch not holding back in the second half scoring 57 to Stanford’s 36 points. Not much difference from the first half but it sure had Stanford head coach Kyle Smith busy with his X’s and O’s.

#4 Only three Stanford Cardinal finished in double figures. Forward Maxime Raynaud led with 19 points followed by guard Oziyah Sellers second with 11 points, and Donavin Young with ten points.

#5 Up next for the Cardinal the Cal Bears who pay Stanford a visit this Sat Feb 22 a 7:00pm PST. The Bears have lost their last three games and have struggling road record at 2-8. Stanford is 13-2 at home and lost their last two games in a row. How do you see this match on Saturday?

Join Michael for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Agent Orange: Williams Scores Late, Carries Cal Women to 75-69 Win Over Syracuse

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–In the new, unknown, expansive world of ACC basketball, you never know who is going to walk out of the visiting locker room. At least, most times you don’t. Again, this isn’t a world of kissing cousins.

At Haas Pavilion on Sunday, the downward-trending Syracuse Orange busted out of their personality with mayhem and an upset on their minds. Almost immediately, the Cal women were put on watch.

In a game with 13 lead changes and as many gut checks, the Golden Bears prevailed with a big fourth quarter in a 75-69 win.

“It was a game that was pretty tight there and could have gone either way, and I thought we imposed our will, and that’s something we’re going to need on the road for sure,” coach Charmin Smith said.

While the visitors played well for three quarters, making shots and denying Cal the three point looks they desire, Cal held on, waiting for their opportunity to surge, although neither team held more than a six-point lead at any point.

Kayla Williams came up with maybe the biggest basket of the game with Cal leading 68-65 with 1:16 remaining. Williams drove to the basket and scored to give the hosts a two-possession lead. Williams led Cal with 21 points, five assists and just one turnover. Cal played out of character with just five made threes on the afternoon, and only 12 turnovers. The sure-handed ball possession was key in such a close contest in which both teams shot it well until the Syracuse shooters faltered late.

Marta Suarez, Michelle Onyiah and Lulu Twidale also scored in double figures for Cal. Georgia Wooley led Syracuse with 23 points, and Sophie Burrows added 10.

The Bears (21-6, 9-5) hit the road again next week, traveling to Virgina for games against Cavaliers, and a second contest against Virginia Tech.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal gets back in win column with 72-63 win over Boston College; Onyiah leads with 21 points for Bears

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Cal Bears center Ugonne Onyiah (0) attempts to block a shot against the Boston College Eagles at Haas Pavilion on Thu Feb 13, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Cal head coach Charmin Smith picked up her first 20 game win that improved Cal’s record to 20-6 for the season it was exciting for coach Smith to pick up the win but also for the players to help get that win.

#2 The Cal starting five played some potent basketball against the Boston College Eagles for a 72-63 win at Haas Pavilion on Thursday night.

#3 Top scorer for Thursday night for Cal Michelle Onyiah with 21 points she is one of the most improved players at Cal.

#4 Cal’s defense in the second quarter was impressive holding the Eagles to just ten points but the Eagles had a break out fourth quarter scoring 22 points to Cal’s 21 none the less it wasn’t enough as the Bears win it by nine points.

#5 Cal could win another one as they take on the Syracuse Orange on Sun Feb 16th for a 3:00pm tip off at Haas Pavilion. Syracuse is 10-14 and are 13th in the ACC. How do you see this one this coming Sunday?

Join Morris Phillips for the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Women Beat Visiting Boston College, Coach Smith Wins 20th Game For The First Time

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–A first time 20th win of a season for Coach Charmin Smith is a moment of celebration. Keeping star post player Michelle Onyiah on the floor, and out of foul trouble, is just the opposite, a point of frustration.

Taking the good with the bad is just part of the job, and on a night that Onyiah put up 21 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out in Cal’s 73-62 victory, Smith will undoubtedly take it.

The Cal women rebounded from a rough weekend in the ACC Midwest outposts of Louisville and Notre Dame in which two losses knocked them from the AP Top 25. The Bears settled into their season’s finishing stretch with a nice win against decidedly lesser competition, but one they desperately needed.

The Bears built a 42-25 lead midway through the third quarter, then saw the visiting Eagles start to make shots and narrow their deficit. But in the end, Cal made free throws and got the win.

Statistically, the Bears were something different from the norm by making only five threes. Again intersecting with the good and bad theme, they did turn it over 26 times. But while others struggled to shoot it, Onyiah did not. Her 9 for 13 effort from the floor, carried Cal, and was ably supported by Marta Suarez who contributed 18 points and nine rebounds.

Cal enjoyed a healthy edge on the glass as well, 40-28.

T’yana Todd led Boston College with 22 points and Nene Ndiaye contributed nine points off the bench.

Cal got good news from the ACC scoreboard as Florida State and Georgia Tech suffered unexpected losses, which means those spots at the top of the conference standings that will first round byes–and double byes for the top four–are still up for grabs.

Cal (20-6, 8-5) faces Syracuse, another team looking to just solidify their position as an opening day entrant for the ACC Tournament, on Sunday at Haas Pavilion.

Rankings Don’t Matter: Cal Women Outclassed By No. 3 Notre Dame in 91-52 Loss

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By Morris Phillips

If the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have another gear, the Cal women don’t want to see it.

As it was, the Bears found themselves as unwilling passengers in a vehicle speeding east on Interstate 90 in Northern Indiana, barely hinged with their seat belts unfastened. The ride wasn’t comfortable or in anyway enjoyable.

For Notre Dame, the same experience could be described as cruise control. The Irish walloped Cal, 91-52 in winning their 16th straight game, just another statement in their quest to be ACC Champions and Final Four participants this season.

Regardless of the outcome, the largest margin of victory by Notre Dame over another ranked team since 1999, Coach Charmin Smith made it clear that her team must embrace what they experienced.

“Notre Dame is a really good team, and we had moments in which we were able to do to play at that level and to contain them and keep them off the boards and do a better job of taking care of the ball,” Smith said. “And then it wasn’t something that we could sustain for 40 minutes. So that’s our process, working on being at an elite level for 40 minutes. Obviously, you’ve got household names and first round WNBA draft picks on that team, and I’m proud of how we stayed with it, and we were still fighting in the fourth quarter.”

Smith’s Bears (19-6, 7-5) found the pace unsettling, as they committed 21 turnovers, shot just 32 percent from the floor and missed 20 3-point attempts. Cal trailed by 21 points at the half, and by 37 points after a particularly lopsided third quarter.

Throughout, Notre Dame’s ball and player movement at the offensive end was constant and flawless, as potential WNBA guards Olivia Miles and Hannah Hildalgo took turns getting to the basket or finding cutting teammates for layups. For the game, Notre Dame shot 55 percent from the floor, and 50 percent from three.

“Offensively, I think we’re growing and getting better spacing,” coach Niele Ivey said. “I thought we did a great job. We had 46 points in the paint, and we had 20 assists.”

Cal still has a hefty NCAA Tournament resume, but their seeding will undoubtedly take a hit just because of uncompetitive losses at Duke by 34 points, and by 39 points on Sunday afternoon. The remainder of their announced schedule is kind, and it’s critical that Cal take advantage of all six opportunities to boost their win total.

The Bears were led by a trio of starters that scored in double figures topped by Lulu Twidale with 14 points. Michelle Onyiah and Marta Suarez scored 10 points each with Suarez also grabbing eight rebounds.

The Bears return home on Thursday to face Boston College at Haas Pavilion.