Cal Clamps Down Late, Snaps Rivalry Skid with Statement Win at Stanford
In a rivalry that’s seen its fair share of dramatic swings, Cal delivered a closing act that will be remembered in Berkeley for a while. The Bears shut down Stanford for the final 7:41 of regulation-literally, not a single field goal allowed-to storm past the Cardinal 78-66 on Saturday night and snap a five-game losing streak in the series.
The turning point came with 6:24 left on the clock, tied at 60 apiece, when Chris Bell calmly rose up and buried a three to give Cal the lead for good. From there, it was all Bears. DeJuan Campbell muscled his way to second-chance points, and Bell capped the surge with a thunderous follow slam that felt like an exclamation point on a night where Cal refused to be denied.
This was a game that had all the makings of a classic rivalry clash. Both teams entered with identical 14-5 records, both had exceeded expectations in the ACC, and both had their eyes on ending long NCAA Tournament droughts. But when it mattered most, Cal simply imposed its will.
Camden’s Coming-Out Party
Graduate forward John Camden, a Delaware transfer playing in his first Big Game on the hardwood, made sure his debut left a mark. He poured in a game-high 25 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, setting the tone with his energy and shot-making. Whether it was knocking down jumpers or battling on the boards, Camden looked like a player who understood the stakes.
Justin Pippen, son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen, added 18 points and six assists in a performance that showcased his growing comfort as a floor general. His back-to-back threes during a key first-half run helped Cal erase a 16-point deficit and swing momentum just before halftime.
Stanford’s Star Goes Cold
On the other side, Stanford freshman phenom Ebuka Okorie-who entered the night as the nation’s seventh-leading scorer at 22.1 points per game-just couldn’t find his rhythm. Cal’s defense swarmed him from the opening tip, and he finished just 1-of-16 from the field, though he still managed 14 points thanks to some work at the line.
Graduate guard Jeremy Dent-Smith did his best to pick up the slack, scoring 20 points-12 above his season average-and hitting three of five from deep in the first half to help the Cardinal build a 16-point lead.
But that lead vanished quickly.
Momentum Shifted with The Axe-and Then Cal Took Over
Midway through the first half, Stanford was rolling. A 16-2 run had them up 29-13, and the football team brought out The Axe to celebrate its 2025 Big Game win. The crowd at Maples Pavilion was buzzing.
And then the lights went out-figuratively.
Stanford went nearly five minutes without a field goal, and Cal caught fire. The Bears hit five straight shots, including those back-to-back threes from Pippen, and closed the half on a 25-5 run. TT Carr’s three-point play gave them a lead with just over a minute left, and Campbell’s three at the buzzer sent them into the locker room up 38-34.
From there, Cal never really looked back.
They opened the second half hitting six of their first nine shots, stretching the lead to 13. Stanford responded with a 10-0 run, fueled by free throws and aggressive drives, to tie it at 60. But once Bell’s three dropped, the Bears slammed the door shut.
Defense, Boards, and Free Throws: Cal’s Winning Formula
While the offensive runs will get the highlights, it was Cal’s defense that told the story. Stanford shot just 27.3% from the field and 19.4% from three-numbers that underscore how suffocating the Bears were down the stretch. Okorie’s off night wasn’t just a bad shooting game; it was the result of a focused, physical defensive effort.
On the glass, Cal controlled the tempo as well, with key offensive rebounds leading to second-chance points in crunch time. And at the line, they were efficient-20-of-25 compared to Stanford’s 24-of-31.
A Rivalry Reignited, A Season Recalibrated
This win meant more than just bragging rights. Cal, picked 16th in the ACC preseason poll, is now 15-5 overall and showing real signs of being a tournament team.
They already had a marquee win over No. 18 UCLA, and last week’s upset of No.
14 North Carolina marked their first top-15 win since 2016. Add a rivalry road win to the résumé, and the Bears are trending up at the right time.
Stanford, meanwhile, has had its own flashes-wins over North Carolina, No. 16 Louisville, and No.
24 Saint Louis-but the loss of senior forward Chisom Okpara to a season-ending leg injury looms large. Okpara had been a do-it-all presence, ranking top-three on the team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals.
His absence was felt on both ends.
Still, the Cardinal drew their second straight sellout at Maples, following last weekend’s historic visit from Duke. That kind of energy suggests the fan base is re-engaged-and with good reason. There’s still plenty of season left.
But on this night, it was Cal that made the biggest statement. The Bears didn’t just win-they closed like a team with something to prove. And in a rivalry that never lacks emotion, that kind of finish speaks volumes.