Men's Basketball: Cal Outlasts Pacific in Tense Battle, 67-61

The Bears hold off the pesky Tigers in a tight finish

Justin Pippen scored 16 points to lead the Bears. Photo courtesy Rob Hwang.

Coach Dave Smart’s Pacific Tigers enters the second year of his tenure trending in in the right direction. After finishing 9-24 last season, the Tigers are off to a solid 7-2 start with losses at Florida Atlantic and Nevada. Forward Elias Ralph leads the Tigers, averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. This is not the Pacific Tigers team we’ve been accustomed to over the last several years.

The Bears raced out to a 12-2 early lead behind two early Justin Pippen 3-pointers. Cal maintained a double digit-lead for most of the first half before Pacific was able to cut the lead to 6 points with just under four minutes left in the half, 29-23 Cal. Dai Dai Ames scored five straight points, to push the lead back to double digits, 34-23. The team traded baskets the rest of the way, as Cal entered halftime with a 36-27 lead.

The Bears employed a balanced scoring attack, with five different players scoring between 5 and 9 points in the first half. Cal shot the ball well in the first period, connecting on 56% of their shots (14-of-25), including 5-of-11 from three point range.

The Tigers dominated the first half rebounds, 24 to 10. Pacific only hit 33% of their shots (11-of-33), but collected 13 offensive rebounds and converted that into 7 second chance points. 6’ 11” F Isaac Jack had a near double-double in the first half alone, scoring 10 point and grabbing 8 rebounds. The Tigers remained in striking distance entering the second half.

John Camden and Justin Pippen started off with a couple early baskets each to pace Cal to a 46-36 lead with 4 minutes gone in the second half. Cal was able to push the lead as high as 13, before an 8-0 run by Pacific cut the Cal lead down to 52-47 with 10 minutes left. Isaac Jack continued to be a force inside for the Tigers; Cal tried multiple different defensive looks on Jack but with little effect.Guard TJ Wainwright scored 8 points from outside to help balance Pacific’s scoring attack.

The teams traded points with Cal maintaining a 5-point lead for the next stretch. Pacific had some near misses, while Cal missed free throws, to keep the game close. With the score 59-54 Cal with 3:24 remaining, Justin Pippen hit two free throws and converted on a hard layup to push Cal’s lead to 9, 63-54. Pacific answered with a 3-pointer from Elias Ralph and layup from Jaden Clayton to cut the lead down to 4, 63-59 with one minute remaining.

Both teams would commit traveling violations as the defensive intensity ratcheted up on both ends. Pacific’s Jaden Clayton connected on a driving layup with 26 seconds left to cut Cal’s lead to 2 points. John Camden and DeJuan Campbell both made one free throw, Dai Dai Ames connected on a pair, and Cal held on for the 67-61 win.

Four Bears scored in double figures, with Justin Pippen leading the way with 16 points and 4 rebounds. Both John Camden and Lee Dort collected 7 rebounds. Cal shot well overall, 46% from the field on 50 shot attempts, including 38% from long range.

Senior F Isaac Jack scored 15 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to pace the Tigers. The rebound total is a career high, while Jack has not reached 15 points since his freshman season. John Camden’s pressure defense limited Elias Ralph to onl 7 points on 2-of-10 shooting. Overall, Pacific shot 37% on 62 shot attempts.

Pacific won the overall rebounding battle, 42 to 31. Pacific’s 18 offensive rebounds allowed them to take 12 more shots than the Bears and helped keep them close throughout.

When asked about the team performance during the postgame press comments, Justin Pippen said “I don’t think as a team we played that well. But you know, this is one of those games where you live and learn.” John Camden agreed, adding, ”I think some of these games in December, we’re going to just have to grind out.”

Notes and Observations

• DJ Campbell was in tonight’s starting lineup in place of Chris Bell, this first change to the starting lineup all season. When asked about it after the game, Coach Madsen said to not read anything into it as he continues to try out different lineups as the season progresses.

• Cal shot 13-of-23 from the free throw line, 57% overall. The Bears hit 4 of 6 free throws in the last 60 seconds to seal the win. DeJuan Campbell (defense) alternated with Chris Bell (offense) in the closing lineup. If Campbell wants to stay in the closing lineup, he’ll need to improved on his 1-of-6 free throw shooting.

• Cal played a variety of defensive looks in the second half, making frequent adjustments in an effort to keep Pacific guessing. Coach Madsen, on Cal’s second half defense; “We did it right one or two times. We did it wrong two or three times. And when we did it wrong it hurt us dramatically…and so you know I’ve got to be better as a coach so we don’t have those lapses.

• For as tight as the game was down the stretch, Cal never trailed. The Bears started with a 1-0 lead on a Dai Dai Ames free throw and never fell behind.

• Last year, Coach Madsen’s Bears went 7-4 in non-conference play. With the win today, Cal improves to 8-1 on the year and secured Madsen’s best non-conference start in his three years at the helm.

The Bears will be heavily favored in their four remaining non-conference games before hosting top-10 Louisville to open up ACC play on December 30th. Cal’s next game is Tuesday evening, hosting the Division II Dominican Penguins.