Cal eyes continued momentum vs. Saint Joseph's in 2nd-round NIT clash

Field Level Media|published: Sun 22nd March, 01:22 2026

NCAA Basketball: California at Georgia Tech

Mar 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; California Golden Bears forward Chris Bell (22) attempts a three point shot against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

After its first postseason win since 2014, second-seeded Cal faces Saint Joseph's in a second-round clash of the NIT's Albuquerque Region on Sunday night in Berkeley, Calif.

"Someone told me that it had been (over) a decade (since) Cal had had a postseason win, so that's good to see," said Cal coach Mark Madsen after his team's first-round win over UIC Wednesday. "We wanted to be in the NCAA Tournament. We did not play well enough in the course of the season to get in, but I believe that we can do something special in the NIT and it will be a springboard and a catalyst going into next season."

The Bears (22-11) are in the postseason for the first time since 2017. They won 12 of their first 13 games, but finished ninth in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Dai Dai Ames led Cal with 17.0 points per game and earned a third-team All-ACC honor.

The star of the Bears' 91-73 win over the Flames was Chris Bell, who had a season-high 31 points and made 7 of 8 3-pointers as Cal rallied from an early nine-point hole.

"Dagger shots when they counted," said Madsen. " ... Chris is a special player. He's a special person. His work ethic reminds me of the work ethic of an NBA player."

The Hawks (23-11) were one of the biggest surprises in the Atlantic-10. Coach Steve Donahue, who joined the staff as an assistant in May, got the head coach job when Billy Lange left for the New York Knicks in September. Donahue rallied the Hawks into third in the conference and was named the 2025-26 A-10 Coach of the Year.

The good vibes continued in the first round of the NIT as the Hawks went on the road to beat No. 3 seed Colorado State 69-64 on Wednesday. It was the school's first NIT win since 2006, snapping a five-game losing streak.

"This group just has that understanding of not quitting, particularly on the defensive end," Donahue said after the win to the Rocky Mountain Collegian. "If we make some really bonehead plays, which we did on the offensive end, our ability to stay focused and compete is why we can figure out how to win those one-possession games. It's all our mental toughness, really."

Jaiden Glover-Toscano and Deuce Jones lead the Hawks with 15.8 points a game apiece.

--Field Level Media

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