Cal loses to #4 Arizona 100-81, but does rally for 55-point second half
Some encouraging signs for the Bears after a very rough start.
The No. 4 Arizona Wildcats dominated the California Golden Bears with a convincing 100-81 win in their Pac-12 opener. Despite a second-half surge from the Bears, led by Jaylon Tyson's 22 points and Jalen Celestine's 14 points, Arizona's lead was insurmountable.
Caleb Love had a standout performance, scoring 20 or more points for the fifth time this season. However, he received a technical foul for taunting after a powerful dunk over Gus Larson. Oumar Ballo contributed significantly with his third consecutive double-double, tallying 17 points and 11 rebounds. Pelle Larsson added 12 points and seven assists, while Motiejus Krivas scored 18.
Arizona's efficient shooting, particularly in the first half where they shot nearly 70%, coupled with solid defense, contributed to their commanding lead.
Arizona's size and defensive prowess stifled Cal's offense, leading to a 54-23 deficit late in the first half. Despite a more competitive second half from Cal, they couldn't overcome the Wildcats' early dominance.
Coach Madsen acknowledged the challenges, emphasizing the need to improve defensively. Despite the tough loss, the Bears showed resilience in the second half, outscoring Arizona 55-46, and Madsen expressed optimism about the team's potential when consistently putting together strong performances in both halves.
Cal will look to bounce back in their next home game against Arizona State to close out the 2023 calendar year (5 PM local tipoff on Pac-12 Network).
For us to beat Arizona everything would have to go right. Our first half shooting, whether it was a product of their defense or bad luck, settled it early. It's obvious why the Cats are projected as a Final Four team. Despite the talent differential and the tough start, the Bears didn't get demoralized and scored buckets.
We just have to recognize that we're good enough to turn the page on the Fox era. At the very least, the 2nd half says we're better than Arizona's bench. Time to go win some conference games!
Tomorrow’s a winnable game. Let’s get it!!