KEY POINTS
- Chris Bell led the Golden Bears to victory by scoring a career-high 31 points.
- California secured a 78-62 win over UIC to advance in the National Invitation Tournament.
- The Golden Bears defense held the Flames to just 36 percent shooting from the field.
California opened the National Invitation Tournament with a decisive victory against UIC on Wednesday night. The Golden Bears relied on a spectacular performance from Chris Bell to secure the win. Bell finished the evening with 31 points and connected on seven three-pointers. This scoring output marked a new personal best for the standout player.
The game began with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm in Berkeley. California eventually took control late in the first half through transition scoring. They built a double-digit lead before the halftime buzzer sounded. UIC found it difficult to recover from this scoring burst during the second period.
The Golden Bears displayed superior ball movement throughout the contest. They recorded 18 assists on their 28 made field goals during the game. This collaborative approach allowed Bell to find open spaces on the perimeter. His teammates consistently fed him the ball when he found a hot streak.
Defensively, California forced the Flames into uncomfortable shooting positions all night. UIC managed to hit only 22 of their 61 total shots from the floor. The Golden Bears also won the rebounding battle by a significant margin. These extra possessions limited any chance of a comeback for the visiting team.
Fardaws Aimaq provided a strong presence in the paint for the home squad. He contributed a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in the winning effort. His interior defense altered several shots and prevented easy baskets for UIC. The balance between inside scoring and outside shooting overwhelmed the Flames defense.
UIC attempted to narrow the gap late in the second half with full-court pressure. They briefly cut the deficit to single digits following a few forced turnovers. However, Bell responded with consecutive long-range shots to push the lead back to safety. The Golden Bears remained composed at the free-throw line to close out the match.
With this result, California moves on to the second round of the NIT. They will face the winner of the upcoming matchup between Utah and UC Irvine. The team looks to carry this momentum deeper into the postseason tournament. Coaches expressed satisfaction with the defensive intensity displayed by the roster in this opening round.
The victory improves California’s overall record as they continue their spring campaign. Fans in attendance celebrated the dominant performance as the team walked off the court. Maintaining this level of efficiency will be vital for their next challenge. The Golden Bears now wait for their next opponent to be determined.
