I predict that the Bears will hold on in Moraga to defeat the Gaels, 80-70. Cal seems to have improved this season whereas St Mary's seems about the same. They graduated Maddie Holland (Mitty) and have added GR TR Claire Steele at PG. Steele started for four seasons for Lehigh as their floor leader and decided to return home for her fifth and final campaign. She played for Miramonte HS.

St Mary's continues to feature 6-3 Ali Bamberger (14.7 ppg/ 8.7 rpg) in the post and dead-eye three-point artist, Taycee Wedin (16 ppg), at SG. Claire Steele has nicely chipped in w/ 9.3 ppg as the point guard. In the two games that they won they dominated the rebounding with 42 in each game. They did have an uncharacteristic 26 & 25 turnovers in those two contests, too, evidently acclimating to their new PG. In their home loss to Rice, the Owls outrebounded the Gaels 46-24. Rice garnered 19 offensive boards and controlled the game, 77-64. St Marys did seem to get their ball-handling under control, only commiting 13 TOs.

Cal has more scoring options but I'm still not certain how strong their rebounding is this season. This is why I'm keeping this game close on the road. If the Bears dominate inside, the margin of victory could be higher.
GO BEARS!

X-factor: Assistant Coach, Heidi Heintz, spent the past 3 seasons on the St. Mary's coaching staff.

streaming smc game tips at 2pm..
https://wccsports.com/watch/?sid=493996

Leilani gets us rolling with 5 points.

We're giving up too many layups. And too many offensive rebounds.

After one quarter Cal has 1 assist and 4 TO. We lost 2 threes an a moving screen and a travel. Lost another three on a foul away from the ball.

Cal down 31-33 at the half. We're looking a little slow.

Surprisingly we played much of the 2nd quarter with neither Leilani nor Jayda on the floor. With Kemery, Karisma, Mia, Amaya, and Evelien our interior defense looked a bit better but out offense was a little ragged.

We have 3 assists to 10 turnovers and so far we're shooting just 36%.

Terrible play by Cal during first half. The Bears did not rebound well nor did they defend the Gaels 3 primary scorers. Kemery Martin was 0-5 (missed the rim twice) plus three turnovers. The other transfers were invisible in Peanut Tuitele (0) and Claudia Langerita (0). Michelle Onyiah played three minutes and set a moving screen that wiped out a three point basket by Karisma Ortiz. Cal has ten turnovers and only three assists at intermission. Jayda Curry got in foul trouble and only played 10 minutes w/ 4 points. The Bears are on schedule to score 62 points rather than 80ish.

Completely taken Jayda out of the game with questionable offensive fouls. St Mary's is playing hard and is getting away with fouls. Mia's playing well.

We are not looking sharp. many passes to nowhere.

Now we're getting beaten on fast breaks.

Claudia is showing some offense but not much defense. Actually none of our interior defenders are looking good. Maybe Michelle could do better but she's played only a few minutes.

Overall I'm surprised our offense is having so much trouble.

I just saw Sela in street clothes. Wonder how she would have done.

OMG! Bamberger misses 2 FT with 4 seconds remaining. Cal with a 1 point lead and the ball!

Up trphree

Oakbear said:

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Up trphree

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Somebody's too excited to spell.

That should prove to be a confidence building win.

I see problems with post defense. Michelle is our only post with plus athleticism and Sela is our only post with plus length. For various reasons neither have been able to play many minutes.

Wbb has three (I can spell this when calm) wins

Will mbb get three wins this year?

Oakbear said:

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Wbb has three (I can spell this when calm) wins

Will mbb get three wins this year?

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Will the MBB coach get three more opportunities?

I was at home. Four blocks from a big hospital.

stu said:

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We got the W, nobody got hurt, and I didn't have a heart attack.

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Classic Cardiac Cal.

Heart-Pounding Palms of Victory!