Men's Basketball: Cal edges Stanford, 73-71

Jalen Celestine carries the Bears in the second half

Photo courtesy Rob Hwang

Cal started the game sluggish. Jaylon Tyson picked up an early foul, less than 30 seconds into game. Spencer Jones continued to attacked him for the first stretch of the game, and had 7 points in less than 4 minutes. Stanford led 12-4 early on.

Cal stabilizes. Stanford’s Michael Jones hit back-to-back 3 pointers to push the lead to 31-23 at the 6-minute mark.

Cal ties it up at 34-34 near 3 minutes. Stanford finishes the half on a 6-2 to take a 40-36 lead going into halftime. It was an underwhelming first half for the Bears. Stanford played an aggressive defense, and Cal’s ball movement suffered. Cal shot only 33% from the field and committing 5 turnovers. Against WSU last Saturday, Cal committed 4 turnovers all game.Jaylon Tyson finished the first half with 10 points and 5 rebounds. Most importantly, he avoided any additional fouls after his first one less than 30 seconds into the game. Jalen Cone starts cold from outside, 0-6 for the first half. He gets aggressive and starts going to basket to draw fouls, and finishes 6-of-6 from the charity line at halftime.

The second half started out poorly for Cal. Cal committed sloppy turnovers on their first 2 possessions, and missed 3 free throws. Stanford pushed their lead to 10. Keonte Kennedy had 2 steals and dunks, and Jaylon Tyson converted a floating layup. At the 16-minute mark, Stanford maintained a 4-point lead, 50-46.

Stanford’s shooting went cold, while Cal heated up. Jalen Cone made his first basket of the game, a 2-pointer at the 12:30 mark, to tie the game at 50-50.

Stanford goes on a 7-0 streak. Jaylon Tyson is taken out of the game when his hamstring tightens up. Cal needed something to fire them up.

His name is Jalen Celestine.

Jalen Celestine scored 7 straight points to keep Cal close, 60-58 with 8 minutes to go.

Two free throws by Grant Newell, and a sweet low post spin and finish followed by a layup from Aimaq, and Cal took a 64-60 lead at 5:45. Jaylon Tyson attempted to return, but his quad continued to cramp and he leaves the game.

Stanford’s shooting did not improve, as they go on a 0-of-9 streak. But they do get to the free throw line, and after 6 made free throws, Stanford retook the lead, 66-64 with 4:30 left. Tyson appeared to de done for the game, as he remained at the end of the bench with the physical therapist staffers.

Fardaws Aimaq started out the half 0-of-3 from the free throw line. He connects on his two free throws, and Jalen Celestine continued his hot second half, as Cal took a 70-68 lead with 1:40 left.

Jalen Celestine hit two free throws at the 1-minute mark to give Cal the 72-71 lead.

Both teams would miss their next shot attempts. Stanford collected a rebound with 10 seconds left, and made a courtlength pass to a wide open Maxime Raynaud. He collected the pass alone near the basket, but shuffled his feet and turned the ball back over to Cal.

With Cal leading 72-71, Jalen Celestine was sent to the line and made 1 of 2 free throws for a 2-point lead.

Stanford had 2 erratic shots near the basket at the end, but could not convert either, and Cal held on for a 73-71 win.

The story of the game was almost missed free throws. Cal was 11-of-19 in the second half, and missed several opportunities to push the lead to 2 possessions.

Instead, the story of the game is Jalen Celestine. After being a non-factor with a near empty statline in the first half, he scored all 12 of his points in the second half.

Grant Newell was impressive as well, he collected 10 rebounds to go with his 11 points, and played excellent defense on Stanford’s tall frontline players. Fardaws Aimaq also contributed a double-double, with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

The announced attendance was 8,710. The students arrived early and was loud even during team warmups. Haas has not had this much energy since at least the Cuonzo era. Hopefully tonight’s win will be enough to bring the students back.

Cal has 2 road games to the Arizona schools next week.