The California Golden Bears looked like they were spent in the first half. Still probably hungover from a draining and emotional overtime victory over the UCLA Bruins Sunday night, Jorge Gutierrez and Cal came out flat, particularly on the defensive end, giving up 45 points in the first half. Joevan Catron and Tyrone Nared came out scorching, scoring 11 points apiece and pacing the Ducks to an early first half lead.
But Cal stepped up their game in the second half. Gutierrez snapped into action with 16 of his 23 coming in the final 20 minutes, and his effort seemed to galvanize the rest of his team. The Cal defense stepped up and clamped down the Ducks to 26 second half points. Allen Crabbe chipped in 13 of his 19 in the second half and Brandon Smith contributed 18 points while not missing a shot from the field or the line (5-5 FGs, 4-4 three point field goals, 4-4 FTs). Cal got timely three point shooting, nailing 10 treys from outside, and the Bears put up 47 to give Cal an 81-71 victory.
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