KEY POINTS
- Freshman guard Justin Pippen scored 19 of his 24 points in the second half to secure the win.
- The victory marks California’s first 20-win season since the 2016-17 campaign.
- Center Lee Dort returned from a seven-game absence to grab a game-high 10 rebounds.
The California Golden Bears reached a significant milestone on Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion. California defeated the SMU Mustangs 73-69 in a highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference matchup. The win improves California’s record to 20-8 overall and 8-7 in conference play. This victory represents the first time the program has reached 20 wins in nearly a decade. Head coach Mark Madsen described the result as a vital step for the team’s postseason aspirations.
Justin Pippen proved to be the decisive factor for the Golden Bears in the second half. After a quiet start to the game, the freshman guard exploded for 19 points after the intermission. Pippen showed great composure during the final minutes of the contest. He connected on a critical jumper to reclaim the lead before sealing the result at the free-throw line. Pippen finished the evening with 24 points, matching his career high for a single game.
California established an early lead in the first half behind the perimeter shooting of Chris Bell. Bell connected on several three-pointers to help the Golden Bears build a 38-33 advantage at halftime. However, SMU responded with a disciplined defensive effort in the second period. The Mustangs utilized a zone defense that temporarily stymied the California offense. This strategic shift allowed SMU to briefly take a late lead behind the scoring of Corey Washington.
Washington led the Mustangs with 15 points, including nine consecutive points during a frantic late-game surge. Boopie Miller also contributed 15 points and six rebounds for the visiting side. Despite their offensive efficiency, SMU struggled significantly at the free-throw line throughout the night. The Mustangs shot just 42% from the stripe, which proved costly in a game decided by two possessions. This lack of execution prevented SMU from maintaining their momentum during the final minute.
The return of Lee Dort provided a major emotional and physical boost for California. Playing for the first time since late January, the 6-foot-10 center anchored the defense and dominated the glass. Dort finished with 10 rebounds and several key defensive interventions in just 22 minutes of action. His presence allowed California to match the physical interior play of SMU’s taller frontline. John Camden also added 14 points to provide critical scoring depth for the hosts.
This victory significantly strengthens California’s resume as they approach the NCAA Tournament selection process. Beating a highly-ranked SMU squad helps the Golden Bears climb the rankings of several prominent metrics. The team has now won three consecutive games as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. Coach Madsen emphasized that while the 20-win mark is historic, the team remains focused on a deep postseason run.
California will continue their homestand this Saturday as they host the Pittsburgh Panthers for Senior Day. A win in that contest would further solidify their position in the upper half of the ACC standings. SMU will look to bounce back as they travel to face Stanford this weekend. Both teams remain in contention for favorable seeding in the upcoming conference tournament.
