Getting healthy, Cal faces Mercyhurst

Field Level Media|published: Wed 27th November, 03:37 2024

Mar 7, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; California Golden Bears guard Jalen Cone (15) defends against Stanford Cardinal guard Andrej Stojakovic (2) during the second half at Maples Pavillion. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

California has fared just fine without three injured starters, but the Golden Bears could welcome two of them back Wednesday for a home game against Mercyhurst at the Cal Classic in Berkeley, Calif.

Coach Mark Madsen's squad opened the four-team showcase with two wins despite playing without guards Jovan Blacksher Jr. and DJ Campbell and forward BJ Omot.

Omot (10.8 points per game) is reportedly week-to-week with a wrist injury, but both Blacksher (16.3) and Campbell (8.8) are day-to-day and could return Wednesday. Cal (5-1) aims to match its best seven-game start since the 2016-17 season.

Even if Blacksher and Campbell don't log typical starter's minutes should they play Wednesday, the Golden Bears have ample depth.

Freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson had 16 points off the bench Sunday in an 83-77 win over Sacramento State after netting a career-high 23 in 78-69 victory over Air Force on Thursday. Rytis Petraitis added 13 points and five assists on Sunday in his second straight start, while regular starter Andrej Stojakovic has scored 21 points (a career high) and 20 in Cal's last two games.

"We believe in strength in numbers," Madsen said. "We have a deep roster. We can play 11 or 12 guys. ... You have players getting experience in tough situations where momentum is changing back and forth. ... This is only going to make us a stronger team going forward."

The Golden Bears will battle a Lakers squad that fell 82-48 at Air Force on Sunday. Mercyhurst finished with its season-low point total and allowed the Falcons to shoot 15 of 21 from 3-point range (71.4 percent).

Senior forward Aidan Reichert scored his 1,000th career point in the loss and finished with 11 to lead the Lakers (4-3). Reichert's 11.6 scoring average is second on the team to fellow forward Jeff Planutis (14.4).

Mykolas Ivanauskas contributes 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while Bernie Blunt III averages 8.6 points and has hit 24 of 25 free throw attempts.

"It's a team effort, top to bottom," guard Christian Gamble said after Mercyhurst's 98-45 win over Division III Mount Aloysius on Nov. 19. "We want everybody to be ready offensively and defensively."

--Field Level Media