Tag: NCAABB

Cal withstands late Wright State push for 77-67 home win

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Cal Bears guard Dai Dai Ames (7) drives past Wright State’s Kellen Pickett (4) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Thu Nov 6, 2025 (Cal Bears photo)

By Ryan Hannagan

BERKELEY, Calif. — California (2-0) men’s basketball secured its second home victory of the season Wednesday night, defeating Wright State Raiders (1-1) 77–67 at Haas Pavilion. The Bears used an early second-half surge and steady free-throw shooting to fend off a late rally from the Raiders.

After a slow offensive start from both sides with Cal shooting 4-for-12 and Wright State 4-for-11 from the field early, the Bears built momentum behind second chance points and dominance at the free throw line. Cal finished the first half shooting 13 for 34 overall but made up ground by converting 13 free throws.

Wright State, meanwhile, struggled from the line, going just 4 for 8, but found more success from deep, connecting on four of 16 three-pointers to stay within reach. Neither team managed to create much separation through the opening 20 minutes, with Cal holding a slim 34–28 halftime advantage.

John Camden led the Bears with seven points at the break, while Wright State’s Michael Cooper matched that total to lead the Raiders.

Cal came out firing in the second half, pushing its lead to double digits with a 12 point margin midway through the half. The Bears played with rhythm and confidence, feeding off an energized Haas Pavilion crowd. Sophomore guard Dai Dai Ames took control down the stretch, finishing with a game high 23 points.

Despite trailing by as many as 16, Wright State refused to fold, closing the gap to four with under five minutes to play. But Cal’s composure and efficiency from the line sealed the victory — the Bears shot 26 for 31 (83.9%) from the stripe compared to Wright State’s 10 for 18 (55.6%).

“We talked about ball control and not being passive,” Cal head coach Mark Madsen told Sports Radio Service after the game. “Against any zone defense, if you drive the zone, something good is going to happen. We have a lot of new players still getting comfortable in their roles, but I thought Nolan Dorsey really set the tone defensively and lifted the whole team.”

Cal out rebounded Wright State 43–35 and outscored the Raiders 34–22 in the paint. The Bears also held advantages in fast-break points (12–4) and defensive rebounds (33–24).

Wright State’s Dominic Pagonis led the Raiders with 11 points off the bench.

With the win, Cal improves to 2–0 and looks to carry its momentum into the next contest against Cal State Fullerton as it continues non conference play.

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman: Cal delivers lopsided win over CSU Bakersfield Monday night

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The Cal Bears Lee Dort (34) gets the throw down against the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on Mon Nov 3, 2025 at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley (Cal Bears photo)

Cal Bears podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen Cal had the lead for much of this game it was a great way for the Golden Bears to open the season with the win.

#2 The Bears dominated the Roadrunners as Bakersfield just couldn’t get back in the game and were behind for most of the night by 20 points or less.

#3 Cal Bears high scorer Dai Dai Ames had some good looks in the game and was one of the four starters who finished this game in double figures.

#4 The Bears John Camden finished second in scoring he got some open shots and led Cal in three pointers.

#5 Up next for Cal they tip off against Wright State right here at the Pavilion this Thu Nov 6th after taking a look at tonight’s offense against Bakersfield they should match up well in their next non conference.

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

Cal Bears post game report: Bears blow 18-point lead, lose to Ducks 80-73

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The Oregon Ducks guard Jamie Cousinard (5) drives for the hoop against the Cal Bears forward Faraws Amiaq (00) in the first half at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene OR on Sat Jan 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024

Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, Oregon

California Golden Bears 73 (6-11 Overall; 2-4 Pac-12)

Oregon Ducks 80 (13-3 Overall; 5-0 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

In a role reversal of their epic comeback win Wednesday, but what has occurred so many times this season, the Bears blew an 18-point lead, as they ultimately fell to the Oregon Ducks, 80-73.

The Bears were coming off the win of the season after coming back from down 20 points to defeat the Colorado Buffaloes on Wednesday night in Berkeley. However, they were in Eugene, Oregon to play one of the best teams in the Pac-12 in the Ducks. The Ducks were coming in off to a 12-3 start, and winners of their previous five games.

Oregon won the opening tip, and got on the board after Mahamadou Diawara drew a foul and made the second of two from the line. Cal and Oregon both failed to score on their next drives, and then Fardaws Aimaq hit a three-ball to put the Bears up 3-1.

The scoring was back and forth over the first seven and a half minutes, but when Jalen Celestine hit a three with 12:27 remaining to put the Bears up 17-14, Cal went on a tear. Jalen Cone and Devin Curtis hit jump shots, and Cone hit the third of three from the line to put the Bears up 22-14.

The Bears kept their drive going, as Aimaq, Cone and Jaylon Tyson led the way, and a jumper from the paint by Tyson opened Cal’s lead to 41-23 with 3:59 to go in the first period.

However, the Ducks came roaring back. Jadrian Tracey laid one in to get things started. Jermaine Couisnard hit a three, and Keeshawn Barthelemy hit a jumper to make it 41-30.

Keonte Kennedy laid one in to make it 43-30, but the Ducks kept going. Tracey and Couisnard hit threes to close it to 43-36, and Couisnard hit another three to make it 43-39 going into the half.

The Ducks closed out the first period with a 16-2 run, and they weren’t finished. There was no scoring for the first minute and 18 seconds of the second period until Tracey slammed one down. Tyson responded by laying one in.

Jackson Shelstad hit a jumper to make it 45-43, and then he hit a three to put the Ducks back ahead. The Bears retook a 49-46 lead after Tyson hit two from the line, and Rodney Brown Jr. laid one in, but the Ducks scored five unanswered points to jump back ahead, 51-49.

Grant Newell hit a jumper for Cal to tie it, and then Kario Oquendo hit a three to put Oregon back ahead, 54-51. Jalen Cone was fouled, and hit two from the line to make it 54-53.

Then, the Ducks started to pull away. Oquendo dunked one in, and Tracey made a pair of layups plus a free throw to open the Ducks’ lead to 61-53 with 10:10 remaining.

The Bears still had some fight left in them. Tyson hit a three, and Kennedy laid one in to cut the deficit to 63-60. Jackson Shelstad hit two from the lane for the Ducks, and Kennedy hit a hook shot and a free throw to make it 65-63.

The Bears continued to tread water, as they trailed 70-67 with 4:41 to go, but the Ducks started to pull away again, and this time for good. Keeshawn Barthelemy laid one in; N’faly Dante hit a free throw; Brennan Rigsby hit a jumper; and Dante hit another free throw to open the lead up to 76-67 with 2:38 to go.

Time was running out for the Bears, who were never able to get back to within any less than six points, and the Ducks held on to win it, 80-73.

It was another loss for the Bears after blowing a massive lead, as they fell to 6-11 on the season, and 2-4 in Pac-12 play. The good news for the Bears is that with their next three games at Haas Pavilion and a plethora of off-days, they will be home for almost three weeks.

The Bears will look to bounce back, as the Washington Huskies will come into Berkeley for a 6 p.m. start Thursday night.

Spartans drop their third straight lose San Diego State 81-78 at Provident Credit Union

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By Troy Ewers

Short moment of happiness on the San Jose State Spartans bench as they would later lose to the San Diego State Aztecs in San Jose on Tue Jan 9, 2024 (SJSU Spartans photo)

Tuesday, January 9th, 2024

By Troy Ewers 

SAN JOSE–The San Jose State Spartans host the No. 19 ranked San Diego State Aztecs in a big conference game for the Spartans. The Aztecs are riding a six game winning streak and 13-2 record, both losses coming in away games to unranked teams and San Jose State hopes to be another unranked team to hand San Diego State an L on the season. SJSU hasn’t won a conference game so far and hope they can get the ball rolling against an in-state Conference rival.

A surprising first half as both teams were fighting to get a run started. Each team looked as even as it could be, literally feeling like a heavyweight bout where blows were traded and when it looked like the Aztecs were generating a run, the Spartans stayed in the mix with free throws and threes.

For the opening half Alvaro Cardenas and Trey Anderson led the Spartans in points, Cardenas having 10 and Anderson having 11. On the other side Jaedon Ledee with 14 points and Lamont Butler with 11 points were the point leaders for the Aztecs.

This led to a 42-41 Aztec lead at halftime and in Event Center in front of predominantly San Diego State crowd, the score shocked people where the Spartans had a chance to upset their rivals. 

The second half was no different than the first… a slugfest between two teams trading buckets. Tibet Gorener showing everyone why he’s third all tie in SJSU history in three point shooting as he dropped a couple early ones at the top of the half to tie things up and after SDSU switched to a full court press, the battle became more physical which led to some questionable fouls and some chippiness from both coaches.

A three from Amey Jr. tied it up with four minutes left and when the clock was at a minute and a half left the Spartans were within four points making the game a battle of who can not make a crucial mistake. With 40 seconds the Spartans were now within two points and a shot clock violation on San Diego State created a high pressure last possession for the Spartans.

SJSU had the ball with 13 seconds left and a major opportunity at their hands and Trey Anderson gets blocked. After Lamont Butler went 50% on his free throw attempt giving the Aztecs a three point lead. Spartans miss the buzzer beater and the game ends 81-78 San Diego State winning. 

San Diego State brought a large crowd and their A-game and even though the Spartans brought their A-game, the Aztecs squeaked out the victory. Cardenas led the Spartans with 21 points and didn’t get a double like he did three of the last six games, but walked out with a great showcase.

On the Aztec side, Jaedon LeDee was the point leader with 31 points and 10 rebounds. SDSU stays undefeated in conference play while SJSU is winless in the Mountain West.

Next game for the Spartans is January 13th against Air Force and Coach Tim Miles has to do some course correction as his Spartans have now lost three in a row.

Who are these guys? Cal shocks Santa Clara 84-69 at Haas Pavilion

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Jaylon Tyson (20) and Jalen Cone (15) guards for the Cal Bears both finished in the top two in scoring against the Santa Clara Broncos at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Dec 2, 2023 (Cal Bears photo)

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California

Santa Clara Broncos 69 (7-2)

California Golden Bears 84 (3-5)

By Stephen Ruderman

Jaylon Tyson and Jalen Cone led the way, as the Cal Bears returned home after going winless in the SoCal Showcase to defeat the Santa Clara Broncos, 84-69.

The Broncos came into tonight’s game at 7-1, so the Bears were going to have their hands full. The two teams traded baskets early on, but after a three-ball by Cone, his first of three-straight, gave Cal a 7-6 lead, the Bears would not look back.

Cal opened out to a 23-9 lead, as they mostly maintained a double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the first period. Cal went into the half up 45-31.

Cal continued to maintain that lead as the second period got underway, and got to their biggest lead of the night at 63-45, following a pair of free throws by Keonte Kenney with 11:13 to go.

However, the Broncos struck back with a 14-2 run, as they closed Cal’s lead to 65-59 with 7:37 to go. Tyson hit a three to make it 68-59, and from there the Bears got back on track, as they scored 14 unanswered points to open their lead back up to 79-59.

Tyson scored the first seven points of the drive, and he also got into a brief scuffle with Kosy Akametu of the Broncos, as both were hit with technical fouls. The fouls didn’t matter, however, as Tyson ended up getting his third double-double of the season as part of a 21-point performance.

The Broncos outscored the Bears 10-5 at the end, but it was far too late, as Cal ended up winning the game 84-69.

Tyson and Cone combined for nearly two-thirds of Cal’s scoring tonight. In addition to Tyson’s 21 points, Cone scored 26 points, as he was also 7-for-10 from beyond the arc.

With this win, Cal improves to 3-5 on the season, and they have also equaled their win total from last season just eight games into this season.

The Bears will have another week off, and they will then make the trip to Indianapolis, Indiana to take on the Butler Bulldogs for a 9:00 am tip next Saturday.

San Jose State Controls Whole Game Beat North Dakota State 78-65

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San Jose State Spartans had plenty to be happy about defeating the North Dakota State Bisons at Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose on Mon Nov 27, 2023 (SJSU Spartans photo)

Monday, November 27th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

San Jose, CA – The SJSU Spartans are back in San Jose after the Paradise Jam and face off against North Dakota State in non conference action. Paradise didn’t seem like a fleeting thing as the Spartans defeated the Bisons 78-65.

The first half San Jose State was in the lead the whole time, but only by a small margin. Almost the whole Spartans lineup was on the board, but it was Trey Anderson with seven points, who led the team in scoring. North Dakota State’s main problem was going 2-11 from three which left them fighting from behind even though they were out-rebounding the Spartans. By the end of the first half SJSU was up 32-27. 

The Spartans clicked on all cylinders in the second half and secured a victory the whole way through. Shooting 47.3% from the field and 45.8% from the three point line. Leading scorer Trey Anderson walked out with 21 points and MJ Amey Jr. locked in a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Scoring 78 points total the Spartans rolled North Dakota State by 13 points. 

The 5-2 San Jose State Spartans are feeling good after this game, but with only one day to rest it off, SJSU faces Cal Poly Novemer 29th in San Luis Obispo and they want to continue to close out games for W’s.

Cal’s comeback in overtime not enough; drop third-straight in SoCal Showcase to San Diego 76-67

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Cal Bears forward Fardaws Aimaq tries to get some offense going against the San Diego Aztecs forward Jaedon Lee (13) at SoCal Showcase at JSerra Pavilion in San Juan Capistrano on Sat Nov 25, 2023 (@CalMBBall photo)

Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023

JSerra Pavilion, San Juan Capistrano, California

California Golden Bears 67 (2-5)

San Diego State Aztecs 76 (5-1)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Bears came back late to force overtime, but they eventually lost their third-straight game in the SoCal Showcase, as the San Diego State Aztecs’ defense shined to beat them 76-67.

The Bears had dropped their first two games of the SoCal Showcase played in San Juan Capistrano, each by three points. Tonight, they were looking to bounce back against a strong Aztecs team.

The Bears jumped out to a 5-0 lead early, as Jaylon Tyson laid one in, and Jalen Cone hit a three. The Aztecs quickly matched it to tie it at 5-5. Fardaws Aimaq hit a three to give Cal an 8-5 lead, but Micah Parrish hit a three to tie it at 8-8.

The Aztecs got to 16-11 lead with 12:06 left in the first period, but Cal scored five unanswered points, as Tyson hit a three-ball to tie it at 16-16 with 10:49 left. The score remained neck and neck for a couple of minutes, but San Diego State was able to hold a steady lead throughout the latter half of the first period, as they went into the half up 39-34.

The teams traded baskets to start the second period, as Cal got to within three at 45-42 three minutes and 21 seconds into the second period. From there, the Aztecs began to pull away, as they scored seven unanswered points to open up a 52-42 lead. It was the beginning of a 14-5 run for San Diego State that put them up 59-47 with 9:24 to go.

Cal refused to concede, and was able to slightly cut the deficit to 63-54 with 6:15 to go. Aimaq hit a pair of free throws with 5:19 to go to cut it to 63-56, and Rodney Brown Jr. hit a three with 4:35 left to cut it close at 63-59.

The Bears were back in it, but neither team scored for over two minutes. Brown then hit another three with 2:23 to go, and suddenly, it was a one-point game at 63-62. Aimaq hit the second of two free throws to tie it at 63-63, and neither team scored in the minute and 42 seconds left, as the game went into overtime.

Cal had miraculously come back late to send the game into overtime, but just as soon as they had done so, the Aztecs took the momentum right back. The Bears won the jump ball to start overtime, but Jaylon Tyson had the ball stolen by Reese Waters, and Grant Newell traveled.

Waters was fouled by Newell, and hit a pair of free throws to put San Diego State back ahead. Aimaq missed a layup, and San Diego State capitalized on it, as Jaedon Ledee rebounded it and made a jumper in the paint to put the Aztecs up 67-63.

Tyson and Aimaq each made a free throw to make it 67-65, but another jumper by Ledee made it 69-65, and the Aztecs took control. Darrion Trammell made a pair of free throws with 1:17 to go, and by then Cal had run out of time. The Aztecs ended up winning it by a final of 76-67.

Cal falls to 2-5, and they will return home for a week off. They will try and bounce back on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Haas Pavilion, as they will welcome in the Santa Clara Broncos for a 4:00 tip.

Michigan holds off Cardinal 83-78 at Battle 4 Atlantis

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Michigan Wolverines Dug McDaniel (0) goes to the basket against the Stanford Cardinal at the Battle4 Atlantis at Paradise Islands, Bahamas on Thu Nov 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023

Stanford dropped its second straight game in the Battle 4 Atlantis men’s basketball tournament, as Michigan held off the Cardinal 83-78 on Thanksgiving Day at the Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island, The Bahamas.

The Cardinal concludes its tournament play on Friday against Northern Iowa. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m. Pacific.

Stanford (3-3) opened the game with a 23-9 lead in the first 7:29 of the first half. Trailing by one point at halftime, Stanford used an eight-point run, completed with a layup by Michael Jones, to take a 52-45 lead at 18:37 of the second half.

Nimari Burnett’s jumper tied the game for Michigan at 52-52 at 16:46, and a dunk by Tarris Reed Jr. capped the Wolverines’ 11-0 run to surge ahead 58-52.

Michigan (4-2) built a 67-54 lead at 12:24, Over the next five minutes, the Cardinal cut their deficit to three on a jumper in the paint by Maxime Raynaud, pulling Stanford to within 68-65.

Angel Brayden’s layup closed Michigan’s lead to 70-69, and a Jared Bynum 3-pointer tied the game at 72-72 with 4:43 remaining. Michigan responded with a seven-point run that was halted with Bynum hit another 3 with 25 seconds to play, cutting the Wolverines’ lead to 79-75.

Free throw shooting by Dug McDaniel and Terrance Williams II put the Wolverines back up by eight at 83-75 with 13 seconds remaining. A layup and free throw by Bynum ended the scoring.

Bynum was 8 of 17 shooting – 5 of 8 behind the arc – for a game-high 22 points to go with six assists. Jones was next with 16 points, including four treys. Reynaud had 14 points and a team-leading eight rebounds, and Angel finished with 11 points.

McDaniel led the Wolverines with 20 points and eight assists, followed by Williams II with 17, Oliver Nkamhoua with 16, Reed with 11 and Burnett with 10.

Cal Falls Flat Unable To Close Against Tulane Losing 84-81

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Cal Bears just couldn’t get by the Tulane Green Wave at the SoCal Challenge in San Juan Capistrano CA on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (@CalMBB photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite having a double digit lead mid-way through the second half, the California Bears (2-4) managed to let another game slip away. The Bears took on the Tulane Green Wave (4-1) in the consolation round of the SoCal challenge Wednesday night losing by the score of 84-81. This was the Bears third loss in a row losing by three points.

Wednesday night the Bears played the Tulane in the SoCal Challenge Consolation game. The Bears couldn’t rebound after a heart-breaking buzzer beater by UTEP Monday night stealing the game from California. The Green Wave suffered an equally crushing three point loss to Bradley 80-77. The Bears Jaylon Tyson is their season leader with 18.8 points per game. Kevin Cross is the season leader for Tulane with 18 points per game.

Game recap: The Bears are 2-0 against the Green Wave all-time. California has now had two losses in a row by exactly three points. They are having trouble finishing games. Tulane is favored in this game expected to win by 5.5 points.

After the first half of play the favored Green Wave trailed the Cal Bears 32-29. This will be a challenge for Cal in the second half as they attempt to retain the lead and close the game out. With so much time left in the game, California needed to keep the pressure on Tulane. The Bears had led by as much as seven points but Tulane began to push back in the final minutes of the first half.

Cal extended their lead to start the second half hitting a three and taking a 35-29 lead. As the second half wore on, the Bears began to wear the Green Wave down taking a 58-47 lead at 12:11 left in the game.

Tulane refused to back down and with 9:17 left in the game they had pulled to within four points of Cal 63-59. At 6:40, this game was tied at 67 and once again Cal was letting this game slip away, their 11 point lead evaporating.

With five minutes left in the game Tulane took a 70-69 lead. The Bears were trailing by two points with 45 seconds left on the clock and California had the chance to salvage this game. Once again, the Bears were unable to close out this game losing 84-81. This was Cal’s third three point loss

Next Saturday, Nov 25 the Bears will take on San Diego State. The Aztecs are highly favored in this game. San Diego’s season leader is Jaedon LeDee who averages 26.8 points per game and will be a huge factor in the offense. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 4:00 PM

No. 20 Razorbacks outlast Stanford 77-74 in 2 OT

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Arkansas Razorbacks Chandler Lawson and the Stanford Cardinal Maxime Raynaud compete for the rebound at the end of second half at the battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island in the Bahamas on Wed Nov 22, 2023 (photo by Tim Aylen Bahamas Visual Services via AP)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023

A 3-pointer by Trevon Brazile on Arkansas’s first possession of the second overtime gave the No. 20 Razorbacks the cushion they needed to hold off Stanford 77-74 Wednesday in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis men’s basketball tournament at Imperial Arena in Paradise Island, The Bahamas.

The Cardinal led by as many as five in a defensive-minded first half, with both teams combining for just 42 points. Stanford’s biggest lead came after a run to open the second half, with Brandon Angel sinking two free throws giving Stanford a 38-29 lead with 15:25 to play.

The Razorbacks (4-1) made a series of free throws to end regulation and send the game to overtime.

The Cardinal held Arkansas without a field goal in the first overtime, but Bynum, Spencer Jones and Maxime Raynaud each scored in the second overtime for Stanford. Baskets by Traymon Mark in the last 1:03 put Arkansas up 77-74.

With four seconds to play. the ball was inbounded to Benny Gealer, who pulled up from deep 3-point range, attempting to tie the game at the buzzer and force a second overtime, but the shot missed off the back rim.

Jones scored a season-high 27 points – including five 3-pointers – to go with eight rebounds. Bynum scored 11 ptoints and had eight assists, Raynaud pulled down a team high 10 rebounds. The Cardinal held Arkansas to a season-low 30.3 percent from the field.

Mark led the Razorbacks with 25 points, followed by Brazile with 14 and Davonte Davis with 10. Brazile grabbed 17 of Arkansas’s 51 rebounds. Chandler Lawson added 13 boards.

Stanford (3-2) will meet Michigan (3-2) on Thanksgiving Day. The Wolverines lost 71-67 to Memphis. Tipoff is 4:30 p.m. Pacific.