Tag: Cal Bears basketball

Cal Falls to No. 20 Clemson 77–55 at Haas Pavilion on Rock Your Crocs Night

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California Golden Bear forward #22 Chris Bell shoots his 2nd free throw attempt with 7:37 remaining in the 1st half in the Haas Pavilion on Saturday evening on February 7th, 2026. (Photo Credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – In front of an excited home crowd, the California Golden Bears played No. 20 Clemson on Saturday night at Haas Pavilion for Rock Your Crocs Night. However, after early signs of optimism, the Tigers easily won 77–55.

Cal came into the game having lost the previous two meetings and losing the all-time series versus Clemson 2–1. Tigers have made it three straight losses in a row. The conference matchup was made more interesting by the fact that, like Georgia Tech before them, this was Clemson’s first time visiting Haas Pavilion. The Tigers started with RJ Godfrey, Jestin Porter, Jake Wahlin, Ace Buckner, and Carter Welling, while the Golden Bears, with their starting five of John Camden, Chris Bell, Justin Pippen, Dai Dai Ames, and center Milos Ilic, took the floor.

Cal was prepared to make a statement first. Justin Pippen quickly ignited the fans with a driving layup after the Golden Bears won the tip. Cal made all three of the team’s shots, while Pippen and Chris Bell led the squad in the first few minutes, with Pippen scoring seven points without a miss and Bell adding six. whereas Clemson had a difficult start, missing multiple shots and committing two turnovers in a nearly four-minute stretch. Five minutes into the game, the Golden Bears had a 13–9 lead, and the crowd was loving it.

However, things suddenly changed quickly. The Bears committed four turnovers in just four minutes, which led to Cal’s offensive decline and allowed Clemson to gain the upper hand. As they found their groove, the Tigers played with accuracy, dishing out nine assists. Their bench also added 20 points, which increased the pressure. The game shifted in favor of Clemson after a 17–1 scoring run over almost ten minutes, as Cal missed 13 straight field goals, falling to 24 percent shooting in the first half. The Tigers’ defense forced nine turnovers, made four blocks, and recorded four steals, keeping Cal to 38 percent from three-point range and giving Clemson a dominating 39–20 advantage at halftime.

Pippen opened the second half by making a midrange jumper and turning the foul into a three-point play. Bell slowly started to find his stride and made back-to-back shots to give the Golden Bears some energy after a short scoring slump. However, Clemson kept their dominance. The Tigers led 56–41 with eight minutes left, and RJ Godfrey’s three-pointer off a foul put them ahead 59–41. Any Cal comeback attempts were consistently stopped by Clemson’s effective offense and defense, which included aggressive drives, rebounds, and smart fouls that sent them to the line.

After Cal missed another field goal going for three minutes, the Tigers took the lead by 24 points, and then the team went on a 9–0 run in two minutes late in the second half, leading fans to begin leaving Haas Pavilion with five minutes remaining. In the closing minutes, Cal coach Mark Madsen started to slowly remove his starters. Despite scoring 33 points in the second half, the Golden Bears were unable to overcome Clemson’s dominant performance. Tigers made 12 three pointers in this game, compared to the home team Bears, who only made 4 all game.

Milos Ilic pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and added two assists, while Justin Pippen led Cal with 19 points. This is Justin’s 20th game this season, scoring in double-digits.

In front of an energetic, Croc-loving home crowd, Clemson easily won the game 77–55, handing Cal a 22-point loss. After an early hot start, the Golden Bears found it difficult to recover from the Tigers’ strong offensive attack and defensive pressure. Clemson is in 2nd place, while the Cal Bears are in 10th place in their conference. Syracuse came into the West Coast and won their games, going 2-0 in the Bay.

In an attempt to bounce back from the hard loss at home, the Golden Bears will travel for their next two games, starting at 4 p.m. on February 11 against Syracuse, who are currently on a two-game losing skid, and Boston College at 9 a.m. on February 14.

Cal Golden Bears loses Sell Out Game to No.6 Duke Blue Devils, 71-56, Bears on a 3 Game Losing-Streak.

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California Golden Bear forward Lee Dort #34, throws down a dunk to cut the lead to 6 points, 25-19, with 5 minutes remaining in the 1st half on January 14th, 2026, in Haas Pavilion. (Photo Credits by Lezleigh Maldonado – Sports Radio Services)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – The California Golden Bears fell to No. 6 Duke Blue Devils, 71–56, on Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion, one of Cal Berkeley’s first sell out games, marking the first ACC matchup between the two programs this season.

Both teams entered the contest trending in opposite directions in conference play, with Duke sitting in first place in the ACC and Cal ranked 13th, looking to bounce back after losing two straight road games against Virginia and Virginia Tech. The Golden Bears also hoped to turn the tide in the all-time series, having dropped their last three meetings with Duke and not beaten the Blue Devils since an 82–77 victory on March 20, 1993, in Rosemont, Illinois. Cal was also chasing a rare milestone, as the Bears’ last win over an AP Top-10 opponent came on Feb. 1, 2014, when they upset No. 1 Arizona at Haas Pavilion.

California opened the game with its starting five of guards Dai Dai Ames, Justin Pippen, forwards John Camden, Chris Bell, and Lee Dort, with Ames leading the Bears at 17.8 points per game. Duke countered with guards Caleb Foster, Isaiah Evans, Dame Sarr, forwards Cameron Boozer, and Patrick Ngongba II, led by Cameron Boozer’s 22.9 points per game coming into the night.

Chris Bell got the game started by drilling a three-pointer off a Duke turnover, giving Cal early energy and getting the Haas Pavilion crowd involved. Cal came out firing, taking 11 shots in the first five minutes, but the Bears struggled to convert, making just three for 27 percent shooting. Duke also had trouble settling in early, committing four turnovers while shooting 2-of-5 (40 percent) during that stretch. Cal capitalized on those mistakes, scoring five points off Duke turnovers to stay in the early running.

With 8:00 left in the first half, Caleb Foster knocked down a three-pointer to give Duke its first lead at 17–15. The Blue Devils then got a lift from Patrick Ngongba II, who finished the night with six points on 3-of-5 shooting and grabbed six rebounds, helping stabilize Duke’s offense.

Cal responded with a 12–2 run over three minutes to retake control at 27–21, sparked by Lee Dort’s back-to-back alley-oop dunks that energized the crowd. But Duke closed the half on a 13–0 run, taking advantage of a three-minute scoring drought by the Bears and heading into the locker room with a 37–30 lead.

The Golden Bears opened the second half with a 7–0 scoring run, cutting the deficit to 41–39 thanks to Justin Pippen drawing fouls and converting three of four free throws and Dai Dai Ames knocking down key baskets. However, Cal struggled to sustain offense, going another three minutes without a field goal, while Duke went 5-of-5 from the field to extend its lead to 60–48 with seven minutes remaining.

Down the stretch, Duke took control, going 8-of-9 from the field in the final six minutes as Cal continued to struggle with shooting and accumulated a high foul count. Lee Dort led the way for Cal with 14 points and nine rebounds, while John Camden added 11 points, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, and grabbed two rebounds. Ultimately, three bears were able to finish with double-digits: Lee Dort , Justin Pippen, and John Camden

With two minutes remaining, Duke held a 19-point advantage, showcasing their ability to shoot, play, and handle the hostile “Haas of Pain”. The Blue Devils went on to defeat Cal 71–56. Ultimately, Cal digged their own defeat as the team saw multiple scoring droughts that just weren’t helping and making the Bears not golden at home.

The Golden Bears will look to bounce back at home on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1 p.m., against No. 14/15 North Carolina Tar Heels (14-3, 2-2 ACC).

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

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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.

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

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

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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

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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.

Utah Utes can’t handle the ‘Haas of Pain’ as Golden Bears win, 79-72

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California Golden Bear #34 Lee Dort slams down an alley-oop from his teammate #2 John Camden. (Photo by Michael Villanueva Sports Radio Service)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY – Happy December from Berkeley, where the Golden Bears enter the final month of 2025 on the heels of a strong 6-1 start and a perfect 5-0 record at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears have transformed their home court into a legitimate advantage as they enter a pivotal eight-game home stretch, averaging 84.4 points per game and posting a +14.8 scoring margin.

That run started tonight against Utah (6-2), a Big 12 opponent who adds importance to the matchup. Cal is 0-1 this season against Big 12 teams, with its only encounter coming on November 13 at Bramlage Coliseum, a hard-fought 99-96 loss to Kansas State. Tuesday night, the Golden Bears get a second chance to make a statement against the Big 12 conference.

Utah comes into Berkeley on a high level, having won a close 75-74 game over Ole Miss behind Don McHenry’s 27 points. The Utes have a balanced, tough squad that ranks ninth in the Big 12 for offensive rebounds (9.6 per game), topped by James Okonkwo’s 4.0. They also have one of the conference’s leading scoring duos, Terrence Brown (21.8 PPG, 3.4 APG) and McHenry (17.9 PPG).

Cal entered the game with confidence after defeating No. 18 UCLA 80-72 on November 25 at Chase Center, the program’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2020. Offensively, the Golden Bears continue to rely on the efficient performance of Dai Dai Ames (18.1 PPG, 2.7 threes per game at 52.8%) and Chris Bell (16.6 PPG, 50.0% shooting).

The Golden Bears’ starting lineup tonight included Justin Pippen, Dai Dai Ames, John Camden, Chris Bell, and Lee Dort, who combine scoring, experience, and defensive versatility. Utah responded with Josh Hayes, Keanu Dawes, Terrence Brown, Don McHenry, and Seydou Traore, a group meant for athleticism, rebounding, and perimeter shooting.

The game got off to a quick start, with both sides swapping early baskets. Utah scored first on the first possession, with Terrance Brown instantly establishing himself by scoring seven points on 3-of-5 shooting. Cal’s Dai Dai Ames matched the pace right away, making all three of his first field-goal attempts and scoring seven points in the first few minutes.

Despite Utah’s early efficiency, Cal kept pace thanks to Ames, who remained perfect from the field and aggressive in his drives. By the midpoint of the first half, he had already tallied 9 points on 4-of-4 shooting.

Cal’s balanced attack and sharp shooting in the final minutes of the half propelled them ahead to a 42–34 lead at halftime. The Bears finished the first 20 minutes with 6-of-12 shooting from three and 14-of-32 overall, displaying strong teamwork with 21 rebounds and nine assists. Ames continued his dominant performance, ending the half with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting in just 15 minutes, keeping Cal in control against a talented Utah squad. With help from John Camden, who is shooting perfect beyond the arc at 3 of 3 with 9 points and 1 assist.

The second half followed the same fast-paced, physical pattern, with both teams hitting the paint and battling for every possession. Within the first ten minutes of the half, the Golden Bears had stretched their lead to 62-55, thanks to a combination of aggressive drives and excellent free-throw shooting. Both teams were repeatedly sent to the free-throw line, but Cal took advantage of their chances, going 15-of-16 for a stunning 93% conversion rate.

Cal’s scoring was led by the dynamic combo of Justin Pippen and Dai Dai Ames, who each had 17 points by this time. Pippen shot 5-of-9 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three, while Ames went 8-of-13 overall despite missing his only three-point effort. Keanu Dawes and Seydou Traore, who combined scoring and playmaking, kept Utah in play. Dawes was on the verge of a double-double, with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Traore had 12 points, 3 rebounds, and two assists.

Also, Cal maintained its domination on the glass, grabbing 30 rebounds to Utah’s 23, securing second-chance opportunities, and controlling the tempo inside the paint.

Cal’s shooting continued to click in the final minutes of the game, as the team approached 50% from the floor and maintained control of the game. Justin Pippen and Dai Dai Ames repeatedly attacked Utah’s defence, keeping the Utes’ lead barely out of reach. Utah, however, refused to go quietly. With three minutes remaining, Seydou Traore and Keanu Dawes scored rapid backdoor baskets to reduce the Bears’ lead to two points.

Cal answered at the line, with Chris Bell making 1-of-2 free throws to extend the advantage to 73-70 with a minute and a half left. At the 50-second mark, Ames was fouled on a drive and casually went 2-for-2 from the line, bringing the score to 75-70. From there, the Golden Bears’ defence took control. Utah failed to get a shot, resulting in a shot clock violation, and they missed their final four field-goal attempts. Cal’s defensive efforts, along with their efficient shooting, secured the victory.

Dai Dai Ames led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, keeping up his strong season performance. Justin Pippen scored 23 points, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, to help secure the victory. Inside, Lee Dort anchored the paint, grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring eight points. While five of Utah’s players scored in double digits, and their bench added 19 points, Cal’s mix of shooting, defensive pressure, and rebounding proved crucial.

The Golden Bears finished the game shooting 45.5% from the field, including 7-of-18 from three, proving that their balanced scoring and lockdown defence can carry them through difficult games. The 79-72 victory over Utah not only represented a great home opener for the December stretch, but it also showed Cal’s ability to produce under pressure, laying the groundwork for the future challenges in their eight-game homestand.

Looking ahead, the Golden Bears will face the Pacific Tigers (6-2) on Saturday, December 6, at 2 p.m., as part of their eight-game homestand. The game will be broadcast on ACC Extra, offering fans another opportunity to see Cal continue their December home stand and build on tonight’s hard-fought 79-72 victory against Uta

CAL Berkeley off to 3-0 start after defeating CSU Fullerton, 93-65

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California Golden Bear Rytis Petraitis, takes it to the paint on an acrobat layup against, CSU Titan Landon Seaman. (Photo Credit to Sports Radio Services Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

BERKELEY, Calif. – The California Golden Bears entered Monday night’s game at Haas Pavilion looking to keep their undefeated streak going. The Bears entered 2-0 after a win over Wright State, while the Titans arrived following a 92-82 loss to Wyoming only two days earlier.

California used the same starting lineup of Justin Pippen, Dai Dai Ames, John Camden, Chris Bell, and Lee Dort. Ames, who led the Golden Bears in scoring early this season with 20.5 points per game, continued to set the offensive tone as Cal worked to extend its unbeaten streak. Cal’s head coach, Mark Madsen, entered and left the game, recording his 100th career win as a head coach.

Cal State Fullerton’s starting lineup was Davis White, Joshua Ward, Bailey Nunn, Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro, and Kendrick De Luna. The Titans were coming off a 92-82 loss to Wyoming two days prior, with Bryce Cofield leading the way with 21 points. Although Cofield did not start in the matchup against Berkeley. The Titans are 0-2 all-time against Cal and have played them only on the road.

California took no time in setting the tone, coming out firing from beyond the arc. The Golden Bears took an early 12-7 lead over Cal State Fullerton by hitting four straight three-pointers. Dai Dai Ames caught fire right on, shooting three triples in the first three minutes, while John Camden added five points of his own to fuel Cal’s fast start.

Ames and Camden combined for all 19 of Cal’s points in the first 10 minutes, with Ames scoring 11 and Camden scoring eight, creating confidence across the Bears’ roster. Justin Pippen led the attack with four assists, while Lee Dort battled inside on the glass, allowing Cal to keep control.

In the closing ten minutes of the first half, both sides tightened up defensively, but Cal’s ball movement kept them efficient. Despite Fullerton’s pressure, the Bears shot 6-for-11 from three-point range (54.5 percent). The Titans relied on transition opportunities, with Joshua Ward scoring six points on fast breaks to close the gap to eight points at one point.

Bryce Cofield had a flagrant one penalty for an elbow during a drive, stopping Fullerton’s momentum. Cal missed four consecutive baskets in the final two minutes, but dominated the boards and maintained defensive discipline, securing a 42-27 halftime lead.

The Bears went into the locker room with Dai Dai Ames leading the way with 13 points, establishing the tone for the second half.

Cal State Fullerton came from the locker room with the same energy that California had displayed earlier in the game. The Titans went on a 6-0 run to start the half, hoping to reduce the Bears’ halftime lead.

Berkeley, on the other hand, responded fast, establishing a rhythm from the start. The Golden Bears connected on two more sets of three-pointers, slowing Fullerton’s momentum and regaining control of the game. Within the first three minutes, California led 50-38.

Cal ended up having a lead of 67-46 before the halfway point of the second half, thanks to hustle, defensive effort, and balanced scoring.

Dai Dai Ames led the way with 19 points, John Camden added 14, and Justin Pippen had 10 points and 5 assists. Lee Dort and Chris Bell controlled the boards, grabbing 7 and 5 rebounds, respectively, limiting Fullerton’s second-chance opportunities.

The last stretch showed which squad was determined to finish strong. California refused to let up, playing with intensity on both ends of the floor. The Golden Bears increased their lead to 29 points, capitalizing on Fullerton’s troubles from the field.

The Titans struggled to find their rhythm, ending their shooting 27-for-69 (39%), while Berkeley capitalized on turnovers and lack of effort. Chris Bell was especially good at clearing the glass and forcing turnovers while also contributing to the Bears’ scoring surge as the fourth player to reach double digits.

Ames’ three-point shooting was the night’s highlight, going 6-for-7 (85.7%), while Justin Pippen nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, displaying his leadership on both sides of the court. Almost the whole starting five scored in double figures, showcasing Cal’s balanced and overpowering offensive performance.

With this dominant victory, the Golden Bears improved to 3-0 on the season while also marking Mark Madsen’s 100th career win as a head coach, a milestone in a program that is off to a good start. This is also Mark Madsen’s first 3-0 start at UC Berkeley.

The final attendance at Haas Pavilion was 2,377 as the Golden Bears secured a dominating home win. California now prepares for its first road game of the season, going to Manhattan, Kansas, to face Kansas State University (2-0).

Head coach Mark Madsen expressed excitement for the game during his post-game conference, stating he’s looking forward to “the battle and the test” and couldn’t wait to see what the Bears can do against a great Kansas State squad. The two teams will face off on Thursday, November 13, at 6:00 p.m.

With an outstanding 93-65 victory over Cal State Fullerton and a perfect 3-0 start, Berkeley will aim to create energy as they faces one of the premier Big 12 programs early in the season.

Golden Bears work overtime to beat Hurricanes 98-94

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Cal Bears guard Christian Tucker (22) lets everyone know that guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (0) scored 30 points in their win over the Miami Hurricanes at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Jan 25, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Thanks to big nights from Jeremiah Wilkinson and DJ Campbell, California held off Miami (Fla.) 98-94 in overtime Saturday in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball at Haas Pavilion.

Wilkinson bagged a career-high 30 points and Campbell scored a season-high 22 points to lead the Golden Bears (11-9 overall, 4-5 ACC). Wilkinson was 10 of 22 – including one 3 – from the field and 9 of 10 at the line. Campbell hit 5 of 12 shooting with 9 of 11 free throws.

Javan Blacksher Jr. Scored 11 points and Mady Sissoko grabbed 10 of the Golden Bears’ 41 rebounds in a game had 11 lead changes and was tied 10 times.

The Hurricanes (4-16 overall, 0-9 ACC) forced overtime when Matthew Cleveland took an inbounds pass and hit a 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game at 79-79.

In overtime, Campbell tallied six points during a 9-2 Cal run that gave the Golden Bears an 88-81 lead. Cal stretched its lead to 94-86 with 24 seconds left in the extra period. Miami wasn’t finished, however, as A.J. Staton-McCray sank back-to-back 3-pointers, pulling the Hurricanes to within 95-92 before Cal put the game away at the foul line.

Cleveland led the Hurricanes with 30 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Brandon Johnson added 16 points and eight boards. Paul Djobet scored 12 points and Jalil Bethea had 11 points and six rebounds.

Cal travels to Dallas Wednesday to face Southern Methodist for a 

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal gets turned around in landslide loss to Duke 72-38; Bears third loss of the season

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The Cal Bears Gisella Maul (12) drives on the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham on Thu Jan 16, 2025 (Cal Women’s basketball photo)

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris the Duke Blue Devils (14-4) made easy work of the Cal Bears (16-3) with a 72-38 win. The contest was not even close and the Bears didn’t get much offense was it a matter of the Bears shot was off or was it that the Blue Devils defense just was in command all night?

#2 Duke’s Toby Fournier was a scoring machine leading with 23 points and she did it all coming off the bench.

#3 Cal tried hard as they may to try and shut down Duke’s Ashlon Jackson who finished second in scoring with 16 and Reigan Richardson with third with 14.

#4 Cal’s scoring was not their previous games nobody finished in double figures. The top three scorers were Kayla Williams with eight, Ugonne Onyiah and Natalia Ackerman both with six. It just seem on one could get past that intimidating Duke defense.

#5 Cal will try it all over again against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-10) on Sunday with an 11:00AM PST tip. Wake Forest are coming off a tough loss to the Stanford Cardinal 74-71 tonight. Wake Forest are last in the ACC and have lost five in a row. Cal is coming in none too happy after the loss to Duke so Wake Forest will no doubt have their work cut out for them.

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