California Golden Bears Triumph Over North Carolina Tar Heels
In a thrilling encounter, the California Golden Bears triumphed over the No. 14 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, securing an 84-78 victory on Saturday in Berkeley, California. This win marks a disappointing second consecutive defeat for North Carolina, who fell to Stanford just days earlier in a high-scoring match that ended 95-90.
Game Highlights
California showcased a commanding performance, establishing a significant 20-point lead early in the second half, reaching a score of 74-55 after a basket from Dai Dai Ames with 8:26 remaining in the game. Despite the efforts of the Tar Heels, who managed to narrow the gap to 81-78 thanks to a crucial three-point shot by Henri Veesar with only 19 seconds left, California’s Justin Pippen secured the victory with two successful free throws just ten seconds before the final buzzer.
Player Performances
John Camden led his team with 20 points, while both Ames and Pippen contributed significantly with 19 each. Pippen also recorded five assists, further solidifying his role in the team’s success. His father, the legendary Scottie Pippen, was present to witness the game in front of a crowd of 8,077 at Haas Pavilion.
California excelled in their perimeter shooting, successfully landing 14 out of 26 attempts from three-point range, in stark contrast to North Carolina’s 9 out of 27. Freshman Caleb Wilson was the standout performer for the Tar Heels, leading his team with 17 points, while Veesar notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. On the boards, California’s Lee Dort emerged as a dominant force, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds.
Game Progression
From the outset, California set the tone, scoring the first seven points and assembling an impressive 11-0 run to take an early 26-13 lead. The Bears extended their dominance, with Ames hitting a jumper just before halftime that sent them into the break at 54-37, leading by 17 points. Camden was instrumental in the first half, scoring 16 points as California remarkably shot 10 for 16 from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, North Carolina will host Notre Dame on Wednesday, while California will face Stanford next Saturday, hoping to build on this momentum.
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