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  • Cal Stuns Former Conference Rival UCLA, Downing The Bruins, 80-72, Winning The Empire Classic Finale

Cal Stuns Former Conference Rival UCLA, Downing The Bruins, 80-72, Winning The Empire Classic Finale

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Basketball

(BCSNN) — California men’s basketball delivered its biggest win in years, defeating No. 18 UCLA 80–72 at Chase Center in the finale of the Empire Classic. The victory marked the Golden Bears’ first triumph over a ranked opponent since 2020 and improved their record to 6–1, while the Bruins dropped to 5–2.

The first half featured six lead changes as both teams traded baskets. UCLA leaned on its rebounding edge, grabbing 25 boards to Cal’s 15, and converted nine second-chance points to build a 41–36 halftime lead. The Bruins also went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line in the opening period.

Cal responded in the second half with a decisive 13–2 rally that flipped the momentum. The Bears never trailed again, holding off multiple UCLA pushes down the stretch. Dai Dai Ames scored all 14 of his points in the second half, including nine clutch points in the final five minutes to secure the win.

Chris Bell led Cal with 22 points, hitting 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Ames added his 14, Justin Pippen scored 13, and Rytis Petraitis contributed 12 points along with a team-high seven rebounds. UCLA was paced by Trent Perry’s 19 points and Eric Dailey Jr.’s 17.

The Bruins opened the game with an 8–0 run before Cal found its rhythm behind back-to-back threes. TT Carr’s three-point play tied the score at 12–12, sparking an 11–0 surge capped by Bell and Petraitis. UCLA regained the lead late in the half, but Pippen’s three kept Cal within striking distance before the break.

Early in the second half, UCLA built an eight-point lead, only to see Cal storm back with a 15–2 run. Bell’s three marked his 1,000th career point, while Milos Iic grabbed his 500th career rebound during the surge. Free throws from Bell and Pippen extended the lead to 53–46.

Bell continued to shine, crossing the 20-point mark with a three-pointer that pushed Cal ahead 65–53 with 9:30 remaining. Ames then took over, hitting a key three and jumper to keep the Bears ahead 71–61 with under five minutes to play.

UCLA cut the margin to four with four minutes left, but Ames answered with another three-pointer and late baskets to seal the upset. Cal finished shooting 44.8 percent overall, including 6-of-11 from deep in the second half, while UCLA shot 40.6 percent and held a 41–35 rebounding edge.

The win capped a statement performance for Cal, which now returns home for eight straight games at Haas Pavilion. The Bears host Utah on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m., followed by Pacific on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.