INSTA-RECAP: Cal Pulls Away From Virginia, 75-61
The Bears earn their first ever ACC conference win over the Cavaliers
It was a game of streaks to start of tonight’s ACC home opener against the Virginia Cavaliers. After Jovan Blacksher Jr.’s opening 3, Cal went on an 0-for-7 streak and quickly found themselves behind 3-11. Jeremiah Wilkinson subbed in and scored 8 of Cal’s next 10 points in a span of just under 3 minutes, as the Bears regained the lead 13-11.
It was a back and forth affair for the rest of the first half. Neither team led by more than 5 points. At halftime, Cal led 35-32. Nine different Bears scored during the first 20 minutes, with Wilkinson’s 8 points leading the way. Andrej Stojakovic had a quiet first half, scoring 4 points on 1-of-5 shooting plus 2 free throws. For both teams, it was a clean and efficient first half. Both teams shot 8 free throws, shot between 40%-45% for both two’s and three’s, and committed 3 turnovers.
The Bears scored the first 8 points of the second half to race out to a 43-32 lead. Mady Sissoko had three blocks in the first four minutes of the half to keep the crowd energized. Andrej Stojakovic scored 7 of Cal’s first 10 points for the half. After trading baskets, Cal went on an 8-0 streak and led at the 12-minute timeout 53-40.
Mady Sissoko continued to be dominating in the interior. Cal was in the double-bonus by the 8 minute mark. Cal led 61-49 at 8-minute mark. Andrej was up to 13 points for the half, with 7 of them coming via free throws. Virginia’s offense was out of sync, with multiple unforced turnovers and very few high percentage shots.
Virginia was able to get the deficit down to 9 after a Stojakovic turnover and a transition slam dunk by the Cav’s Jacob Cofie. Cal quickly pushed it back to double digits. Virginia once again got it down to 9 at the 2-minute mark, 68-59 Cal. Andrej Stojakovic hit a short jumper to push the lead back to double digits, and it stayed there the rest of the game. Cal prevails 75-61.
For the second half alone, Stojakovic scored 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 8-of-11 free throws. He finished with a game-high 23 points. Mady Sissoko just missed a double-double, scoring 9 points to go with 11 rebounds and his 4 blocks. The second half surge and mostly comfortable lead was due to Sissoko’s high energy and ferocious protection of the basket, coupled with Andrej’s aggression in getting to the basket and drawing fouls.
“This team is a player-led team.” Coach Madsen said in his postgame comments. “I’m proud of this team in earning a win……this is a historic night.”
Eager to see the post game interviews posted to hear the energy of the comments by players and coach. Seasons can turn on a trifle, just like games. I don't see Virginia as a great bellweather of the ACC, but they are like us in record and a team we needed to beat at home. The defensive intensity tonight was so very welcome. I've always thought this team has the size and talent to be good defensively, just as they are offensively, but defense is 10% how to and 90% want to.
Good to see Cal get an ACC basketball win. This isn't the 2019 National Championship team but it is still a program with a proud tradition in a tough basketball league.