Cal holds off Air Force's comeback attempt

Field Level Media|published: Fri 22nd November, 24:42 2024

NCAA Basketball: Pac-12 Conference Tournament First Round-Stanford vs California

Mar 13, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; California Golden Bears coach Mark Madsen reacts against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cal stalled an Air Force rally with a three-point play and a four-point play consecutively in the middle of the second half, and the Bears outfinished the Falcons for a 78-69 nonconference victory Thursday night in Berkeley, Calif.

The Falcons were within two points before Lee Dort hit a jumper, was fouled and sank the ensuing free throw with 11:25 remaining.

Jeremiah Wilkinson followed up with a 3-pointer and a free throw 37 seconds later to expand the lead to 56-47.

Wilkinson, a rare freshman contributor on Cal's transfer-dominated roster, finished with a game-high-tying 23 points and Andrej Stojakovic had 21, helping the Golden Bears (4-1) win a second straight game.

Wilkinson had totaled just 11 points in his first four college games.

Ethan Taylor matched Wilkinson's 23 points and Luke Kearney had 14 for Air Force (1-4), which was playing its first road game of the season.

Seeking a third consecutive home win, Cal doubled up Air Force over the first 15 minutes, taking a 30-15 lead at the end of a 14-0 run. Rytis Petraitis had nine points and Wilkinson came off the bench for seven in the Golden Bears' fast start.

The Falcons clawed back, riding 3-pointers from Kearney and Wesley Celichowski to get within 35-27 by halftime. Air Force drew within 49-47 on consecutive 3-pointers by Taylor after halftime, the second with 11:42 remaining.

The Bears reeled off the next eight points, and Air Force never got closer than seven after that.

Petraitis contributed 12 points, five rebounds and four steals to the win, while Joshua Ola-Joseph chipped in with eight points and six rebounds and two blocks.

Stojakovic also found time for six rebounds, including three on the offensive end, and a pair of blocks. Cal outrebounded the visitors 34-24.

Taylor topped 20 points for the third time this season, using 5-for-8 accuracy from beyond the arc to account for a majority of his points. The Falcons lost despite outscoring Cal 33-12 from deep.

Celichowski added a pair of 3-pointers and 12 points, while Kyle Marshall compiled five points, a team-high five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

--Field Level Media