Cal Men's Basketball Loses to the Washington Huskies, 78-81, in Overtime

Cal throws away double-digit lead in second half in Seattle

Forward Grant Newell scored a team-high 21 points in Cal’s overtime loss to Washington on Jan. 14, 2023. (Courtesy: Cal Athletics)

The California Golden Bears (3-15, 2-5 Pac-12) could have won its first road win of the season in Seattle Saturday evening. Instead, it blew a lead that stretched as high as 10 points in the second half and lost to the Washington Huskies (11-8, 3-5 Pac-12) in overtime, 78-81.

California, eager to turn around its fortune as one of the worst Power Five teams in the country, played with force. The largest lead the Golden Bears afforded to the Huskies was just three points, a score from Washington's Keyon Menifield, which resulted in the game’s first field goal.

Then, it was Grant Newell’s game. The Golden Bear starting forward completed the game with a double-double, contributing a career and team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, and three steals and two assists. While the team shot an average of about 41%, Newell scored half of his field goal attempts.

Cal Basketball @CalMBBall

Career-high 18 points & counting for Grant 💰 📺 » @Pac12Network

But a scoring drought of more than two and a half minutes at the end of the second half forced overtime.

After a California three-pointer from forward Sam Alajiki, Washington’s transfer from the Kentucky Wildcats, Keion Brooks, Jr., drained two free throws to bring the lead down to four points. The shot from downtown started a Washington 6-0 run to end the game.

The Golden Bears then gave up a layup with 12 seconds remaining in regulation to the Husky, which let the home team tie the game.

In overtime, the momentum had shifted in Washington’s favor. California never once led in the extra period, as the Huskies made all but one of their shots from the charity stripe.

California’s loss to Washington is its sixth straight defeat in Seattle since 2016.