In a closely contested matchup, California Golden Bears edged out Stanford Cardinal 72-66, securing a six-point victory. The Golden Bears maintained a strong pace throughout, outscoring the Cardinal by 14 points in the first half to take a 39-25 lead. They held on to a narrow advantage in the second half, ultimately securing the win.
The outcome was decided by a possession or two, as the Cardinal's late surge fell just short. Despite a strong second-half effort, Stanford's 41 points in the period were not enough to overcome California's first-half dominance. The Golden Bears' ability to contain the Cardinal's offense in the final minutes was the decisive factor, as they emerged victorious.
Chris Bell's performance was a pivotal factor in California's victory, as he led the team in scoring with 20 points. His shooting percentages were consistent across the board, converting 5 of 11 field goal attempts, 3 of 6 three-pointers, and a perfect 7 of 7 from the free throw line. Bell also showed his defensive prowess with a block and a respectable 4 rebounds.
John Camden and Dai Dai Ames also made significant contributions to the Golden Bears' win. Camden chipped in 18 points, hauling in a team-high 8 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists. His 6 of 14 field goal attempts were balanced by his 3 of 9 three-point shooting, and he added 3 of 4 free throws to his total. Ames, meanwhile, scored 17 points, snagged 7 rebounds, and recorded a block, with his shooting percentages mirroring Bell's inconsistency, going 6 of 16 from the field and 2 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Aidan Cammann's 19-point effort was a bright spot for Stanford, as he managed to stay relatively efficient from the free throw line, converting 11 of his 19 attempts. However, his shooting percentages from the field and beyond the arc left much to be desired, as he connected on just four of his 10 field goal attempts and failed to make a three-pointer.
Ebuka Okorie's all-around performance, which included 17 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists, was not enough to propel Stanford to victory. His three three-pointers were a welcome addition to his stat line, but his 14-20 shooting from the field and free throw line was inconsistent. Benny Gealer's four three-pointers were a highlight, but his 12-15 attempts from beyond the arc ultimately proved to be a liability, as he missed more than he made.
Justin Pippen's performance fell significantly short of his season averages, a stark contrast to his typical output. His 7-point scoring effort was 7.2 points shy of his average, and his 2-10 shooting from the field and 1-2 from three-point range also deviated from his expected efficiency. While he did post a season-high in rebounding, his struggles with shot selection and overall scoring punch were notable, and his 0.3 block average exceeded his season mark, though not enough to compensate for his other shortcomings.
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Final
The pre-game prediction of a 5.2-point California victory proved accurate as the Golden Bears emerged with a 6-point win. While the final margin was not as wide as anticipated, the outcome was consistent with expectations.
In the end, it was California's superior efficiency from the field and beyond the arc that proved decisive. The Golden Bears' 42.1% effective field goal percentage, a significant drop from their season average, still outpaced Stanford's 40.0% mark. Moreover, California's 34.6% three-point shooting performance, slightly above their season average, provided a crucial boost to their offense. Additionally, the Golden Bears' dominance on the glass, particularly in terms of rebounding percentage, allowed them to secure crucial possessions and limit Stanford's opportunities to score. These factors, combined with a strong defensive performance, ultimately led to California's 6-point victory.
The Golden Bears' upset victory over Stanford has significant implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament resumes. For California, this Quad 2 win is its first of the season in this tier, and it now stands at 4-5 in Quad 1 games, which could be enough to secure a low-to-mid-seed 10-12 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, its 0-3 record in Quad 2 games remains a concern, as it may need to secure another win in this tier to feel more confident about its seeding. On the other hand, Stanford's loss to a Quad 2 opponent likely seals its fate as a lower-seeded team, potentially dropping it to a 12 or 13 seed in the tournament. With its 4-4 record in Quad 1 games, Stanford's margin for error is now razor-thin, and it will need to regroup and secure wins in the remaining games to avoid a potentially disastrous seeding. This loss marks a critical juncture for Stanford's NCAA Tournament hopes.