Cal Stuns No. 14 North Carolina in Statement Win at Haas Pavilion
In a game that had all the energy of March, California men’s basketball delivered a signature win at Haas Pavilion, outlasting No. 14 North Carolina 84-78 in a back-and-forth battle that saw the Golden Bears showcase their firepower, composure, and grit. This marks Cal’s first win over a top-15 opponent since 2016-and it wasn’t just a win, it was a message.
John Camden led the way with 20 points, while Dai Dai Ames and Justin Pippen chipped in 19 apiece. The trio combined for 58 points, and every one of them mattered. Cal moves to 14-5 overall and 2-4 in ACC play, while North Carolina drops to 14-4, also 2-4 in conference.
Let’s break down how this one unfolded-and how the Bears held off one of the nation’s most storied programs.
Fast Start, Hot Hands
Cal came out with purpose, jumping to a 7-0 lead behind a Lee Dort offensive board and finish, followed by a Camden triple. The Tar Heels quickly evened things up at 10-10, but the Bears responded with an 11-0 burst that featured a silky fadeaway from DeJuan Campbell and a deep ball from Milos Ilic. Just like that, Cal was up 26-13.
The first half was a showcase of offensive rhythm. Cal shot a blistering 55.9% from the field and knocked down 10 threes in the opening 20 minutes.
They also won the glass early, outrebounding UNC 18-14. Camden got hot late in the half, scoring 11 points in the final 4:30, including a three-point play that pushed the Bears’ lead back into double digits.
Ames joined him in double figures with a late jumper, and Cal headed to the locker room with a 54-37 lead-their highest-scoring first half of the season.
UNC Pushes Back, Cal Holds Firm
If the first half was about Cal’s offensive fireworks, the second was about their resolve.
Ames hit an early three to give Cal its largest lead of the day at 20 points. But UNC, as expected, didn’t go quietly.
The Tar Heels strung together an 18-3 run midway through the half, cutting the deficit to single digits and putting real pressure on the Bears. Caleb Wilson led the way for Carolina with 17 points, while Henri Veesaar and Derek Dixon added 14 each.
But every time UNC made a push, Cal had an answer.
Mantas Kocanas, in a big moment, buried his first career three to stop a Tar Heel run. Minutes later, Campbell became the seventh Bear to hit from deep, stretching the lead back to 18.
Still, UNC kept coming. A flurry of free throws and threes brought the Heels within four at 77-73 with just over three minutes to play.
That’s when Pippen and Camden stepped up.
Camden knocked down his fourth three of the game to give Cal breathing room. Pippen, cool at the line, sank four clutch free throws in the final minute, including two with 49 seconds left to push the lead back to five. Then, with UNC threatening once more, Dort grabbed a massive defensive rebound and added a free throw to seal it.
Ballgame.
Key Contributions All Around
This wasn’t a one-man show. It was a full-team effort that featured timely shooting, strong rebounding, and poise under pressure.
- John Camden: 20 points, including four threes and a key three-point play in the first half. That’s his fifth 20-point game of the season.
- Dai Dai Ames: 19 points, hitting double figures for the 16th time this season. His early second-half three gave Cal its biggest lead.
- Justin Pippen: 19 points, including clutch free throws down the stretch. That’s 15 games in double figures for the freshman.
- Lee Dort: Owned the glass with 12 rebounds, his fifth double-digit rebounding effort of the year.
- Milos Ilic & Mantas Kocanas: Each hit their first three-pointers as Bears, and they couldn’t have come at a better time.
- Chris Bell & DeJuan Campbell: Each hit big threes to stop UNC runs and keep momentum on Cal’s side.
In total, Cal shot 50% from the floor and hit 14 threes-spreading the scoring across the roster with seven different players connecting from deep. The Bears matched UNC on the boards (34-34) and held their own against a team known for second-chance points and transition buckets.
Madsen’s Message: “We’re Building Something Special”
Head coach Mark Madsen didn’t hold back in praising both his team and the environment at Haas Pavilion.
“We’re trying to build something special here at Cal, and it takes everybody,” Madsen said postgame. “I can’t say enough about the environment, can’t give enough credit to North Carolina.
Late in the game, they had us on our heels. They did a great job of making us uncomfortable.
Credit them, and credit some guys of ours that stepped up and made plays late, with no timeouts.”
This wasn’t just a win-it was a culture moment. A team that’s been grinding through a tough conference schedule just took down a blue-blood, and they did it by playing their game: spacing the floor, sharing the ball, and staying composed when it mattered most.
What’s Next
The Bears now turn their attention to a rivalry showdown on the road, heading to Maples Pavilion for a clash with Stanford next Saturday. Expect that one to have plenty of juice-especially with Cal riding high after a win like this.
For a program looking to reestablish itself on the national stage, this was a big step. Cal didn’t just beat a ranked team-they earned it, they battled for it, and they finished it.
And if this performance is any indication, the Bears might not be done making noise this season.