Cal’s women’s basketball team asserted its dominance on Thursday night, dismantling Long Beach State 100-46 at Haas Pavilion in a performance defined by offensive efficiency and physical superiority. Lulu Twidale led the charge with 15 points, joining four teammates who also reached double figures, including Taylor Barnes and Jovana Jevtovic with 14 apiece. The Bears controlled the game from the opening tip, leading by 12 after the first quarter and stretching the advantage to 24 at halftime. Their 54% shooting percentage and a commanding 48-30 rebounding advantage ensured that the margin of victory was never in question, capping a perfect 2-0 start to the season.
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In a contrasting display of grit, the San Francisco State Dons survived a late-game scare to defeat Hawaii 85-79 in overtime, securing their first win of the season. Despite jumping out to a 20-0 lead and holding a 26-12 advantage after the first quarter, USF fell behind by nine points in the fourth quarter before mounting a 9-0 run to force extra time. Aina Cargol proved to be the decisive factor, scoring seven of her 17 total points in overtime, including the tying basket with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. Maria Burliga added 17 points, while Candy Edokpaigbe and Savi Mi contributed 15 and 14 points respectively to help the Dons withstand a furious comeback attempt by Ritorya Tamilo, who dropped 27 points for the Rainbow Wahine.
The contrasting outcomes highlight the differing paths to success in the current college basketball landscape. Cal’s victory was a testament to elite team execution, forcing 16 turnovers that converted into 18 points and overwhelming opponents with sheer statistical superiority. Conversely, USF’s win underscored the importance of composure under pressure, as the Dons managed to close the gap against a high-scoring Hawaii attack. With Cal now 2-0 and USF picking up its first win, both programs have established strong foundations, though the Dons will need to tighten their defensive rotations to prevent late-game collapses in future matchups.
Source: Yahoo Sports
