Cal Team Effort Takes Down Idaho
BERKELEY – The Cal women’s basketball team defeated Idaho, 84-71, on Wednesday evening behind its most balanced scoring performance of the young season, with five players scoring in double figures for the first time all year. The Bears are now 2-1 and remain perfect at home while the Vandals dropped to 0-2. The win also improved Cal to 3-1 in the all-time series record.
Cal was led by Kemery Martín, who had her best performance as a Bear finishing tied for a game-high 19 points, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, four assists and three rebounds. Peanut Tuitele also had her best outing in a Cal uniform totaling 11 points, including a perfect 3-of-3 from deep, and adding five assists and three rebounds. The three three-pointers marked a career-high for Tuitele. Rounding out the Bears in double-figures were Evelien Lutje Schipholt with 14, Leilani McIntosh with 12 and Ugonne (Michelle) Onyiah with 10 (on 5-of-5 shooting).
“We know we have multiple weapons,” said Cal head coach Charmin Smith. “It was great to see Peanut get her shot going and Kemery get her shot going. I think we have this in us offensively every night.”
Both teams came out hot in the first quarter with each team shooting 50 percent from the field. Lutje Schipholt was nearly perfect going 4-for-5 for eight first quarter points to lead the team. Cal had to endure a barrage of first half three-pointers as Idaho went 7-for-17 from deep in the first half. The Bears countered with a 9-0 run late in the second quarter started by a Jayda Curry three-pointer to give Cal a six-point lead going into the break. The three-pointer extends Curry’s streak of consecutive regular-season games with at least one made three-pointer to 25.
In the third quarter, the Bears stepped up defensively holding the Vandals to 35 percent shooting and only one made three-pointer and started the quarter on a 9-0 run to open the game up and give Cal a 65-50 lead going into the fourth. All but one Cal player who stepped on the court in that quarter scored a bucket. The Bears’ hot shooting continued into the fourth with the team shooting 58 percent from the field and 60 percent from deep to maintain the lead and secure the 84-71 win.
Cal’s depth has continued to make a mark this season as the Bears totaled 22 bench points to Idaho’s eight. The Bears’ bench has now outscored the opponent’s in every game this season. Cal’s frontcourt players also made an impact holding a 38-24 edge in points in the paint.
Idaho was led by Beyonce Bea’s 19 points, Sydney Gandy’s five three-pointers and Rosa Smith’s eight assists.
Cal next hits the road to take on St. Mary’s in Moraga, CA on Sunday, November 20 at 2 p.m.
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