Cal Locks In Defensively, Pulls Away from Columbia to Close Non-Conference Slate with Convincing Win
The Cal Bears wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a statement win, powering past Columbia 74-56 in a game that showcased their defensive identity and second-half offensive awakening. This wasn’t just a win-it was the kind of performance that sends a message heading into conference play.
Columbia came in with a 9-2 record and a fast-paced offense that averages north of 80 points per game. Guard Kenny Noland has been their engine, putting up 18 points and 4 assists a night. But against Cal’s defensive pressure, the Lions never really found their rhythm.
Pippen’s Return Sparks Early Momentum
Justin Pippen was back in the lineup after missing two games, and he wasted no time making an impact. On Columbia’s first possession, he swiped the ball and kicked it ahead to John Camden, who drilled a three to get the Bears on the board. That early spark turned into a full-on blaze midway through the half, when freshman guard Dai Dai Ames erupted for seven points during a 13-0 Cal run that stretched the lead to 17-4.
Cal’s man-to-man defense was dialed in from the jump. The Bears challenged every shot, closed passing lanes, and kept their hands active without fouling-committing just three fouls in the first half.
Columbia struggled to get anything clean, hitting just 4-of-17 shots to start the game. By halftime, Cal held a 28-16 lead.
Missed Opportunities Keep It Closer Than It Felt
Despite the scoreboard, it felt like Cal could’ve been up by a lot more. Columbia shot just 25% in the first half and turned the ball over 12 times.
They only got to the free-throw line twice. Cal, on the other hand, only had one turnover and made 13 trips to the stripe-but shot just 25% themselves, including 2-of-12 from deep.
Ames was the lone Bear in double figures at the break with 10 points, but the team knew it had left points on the table.
Second Half Surge: Offense Finds Its Flow
Columbia came out of the locker room hitting their first three shots, but Cal didn’t flinch. The Bears kept the lead in double digits behind strong interior work from Lee Dort, who scored five quick points early in the half.
Camden, who struggled in the first half (1-of-6 shooting), found his rhythm with seven points in the opening minutes of the second. At the 12-minute mark, Cal led 46-35.
Then came the knockout punch.
Coming out of a TV timeout, Cal rattled off 10 straight points to push the lead to 21. The offense, which had sputtered early, finally found its flow. Ball movement improved, shots started falling, and the Bears looked like a team in control on both ends.
Columbia didn’t fold, though. The Lions kept pushing, taking advantage of some gaps in Cal’s perimeter pressure to sneak in a few buckets inside.
Forwards Mason Ritter and Connor Igoe found soft spots in the paint and made the Bears pay with easy finishes and trips to the line. That trimmed the lead to 65-52 with three minutes left.
But that was as close as it got.
Closing Time: Free Throws Seal It
Columbia threw a full-court press and some backcourt traps at Cal in the final minutes and managed to force one turnover. Coach Mark Madsen quickly called timeout to calm things down.
From there, the Bears were all business. Camden, Ames, and TT Carr went 6-for-6 from the line down the stretch to slam the door shut.
Ames led all scorers with 21 points, continuing to show why he’s one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country. Camden added 15, bouncing back strong after a rough start.
Chris Bell chipped in 12. But the anchor of it all was Lee Dort, who dominated the paint with 14 rebounds and 4 blocks.
His presence on the interior was felt all game long.
Second-Half Turnaround Tells the Story
After a clunky first half, Cal flipped the switch in the second. They shot a blistering 64% from the field over the final 20 minutes and dished out 11 assists-up from just three in the first half. It was a tale of two halves, and the second one showed what this team is capable of when the offense catches up to the defense.
Bench Contributions and Growing Roles
Milos Ilic continues to make the most of his minutes off the bench. In just 14 minutes, he pulled down six rebounds and handed out three assists.
While Dort anchors the low post, Ilic brings a different look-operating from the high post and facilitating movement. His assists came on sharp cuts near the basket, showing his growing comfort in the offense.
Rytis Petraitis and DeJuan Campbell were sidelined as they recover from injuries. There's no timeline yet for their return.
Looking Ahead: ACC Gauntlet Begins
With non-conference play in the books, Cal now turns its attention to a brutal opening stretch in ACC play. It starts next Tuesday with a home matchup against #11 Louisville. The first seven conference games feature four ranked opponents and every team sitting inside the KenPom top 80.
It’s a tough road ahead-but if Cal can bring the defensive intensity they showed today and keep building on their offensive rhythm, they’ll be a tough out for anyone in the ACC.