Way to go

Great win first time since Covid Cal women have beaten a ranked team.

Cal played close to their best tonight to squeeze by #19 Alabama. Bears held their turnovers down to 15 (5 by Suarez). PG Kayla Williams was the MVP tonight. She has asserted her offense bigtime in the team's best two games of the season: at Gonzaga & Bama. She also held her TOs to only two! She needs to contribute to the offense more often because she's capable.

I predicted 70-67 but was off slightly (69-65). HUGE VICTORY! Top 25 ranking? GO BEARS!

Schroeder71 said:

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Cal played close to their best tonight to squeeze by #19 Alabama. Bears held their turnovers down to 15 (5 by Suarez). PG Kayla Williams was the MVP tonight. She has asserted her offense bigtime in the team's best two games of the season: at Gonzaga & Bama. She also held her TOs to two! She needs to contribute to the offense more often because she's capable.

I predicted 70-67 but was off slightly (69-65). HUGE VICTORY! GO BEARS!

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I think Smith read your preview because Cal shut down Nye and Barker - 9 points between them and no made three pointers.

It wasn't turnovers that made the difference thankfully and the Bears did stay under 20.
Key: Cal was 9-27 from three and Bama was 4-17.
And Bama didn't help themselves going 9-18 from line. Cal was only a little better at 10-16, but three of those misses came at the end from Krimili whom as the announcers said, had missed only 3 free throws (25-28) this season.

Other than the obvious shooting grind-- the lesson tonight was the Bears kept fighting.

Kayla Williams' progress at PG is awesome. Defense and rebounds, breaking down defenders and scoring. Game ball. We have a solid point guard, despite our earlier worries.

Jayda Noble provided some key defense in crunchtime.

Shoulda been a bigger crowd, I hope that's about to change with the exciting games and team growth.

I wasn't at game tonight (just returned for long trip) and tuned in after first 5 minutes. Just in time to see Michelle with 2 fouls. My pregame keys to the game was:

1. Turnovers

2. Michelle stays out of foul trouble

Neither happened but what makes this team special is their balance.

I think Alabama (and all opponents) number 1 priority is to get Michelle in foul trouble.
Alabama then prioritized stopping 3 point shooting from Ioanna and Lulu, but that opened up Marta's drives and Kayla's offense.

Yes Marta had 5 turnovers, but this game she also had SIX assists. She is our alpha that you need on every team.

Michelle's play in the last 5 minutes shows what a huge impact she has on this team

I also think Noble made some huge defensive plays. Without her I'm not sure Cal would have hung on. Gabrielle has been a good surprise and has a bright future.

Great win!

SF Chronicle story: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/college/article/cal-women-get-breakthrough-win-hold-topple-no-19963175.php

HoopDreams said:

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I wasn't at game tonight (just returned for long trip) and tuned in after first 5 minutes. Just in time to see Michelle with 2 fouls. My pregame keys to the game was:

1. Turnovers

2. Michelle stays out of foul trouble

Neither happened but what makes this team special is their balance.

I think Alabama (and all opponents) number 1 priority is to get Michelle in foul trouble.
Alabama then prioritized stopping 3 point shooting from Ioanna and Lulu, but that opened up Marta's drives and Kayla's offense.

Yes Marta had 5 turnovers, but this game she also had SIX assists. She is our alpha that you need on every team.

Michelle's play in the last 5 minutes shows what a huge impact she has on this team

I also think Noble made some huge defensive plays. Without her I'm not sure Cal would have hung on. Gabrielle has been a good surprise and has a bright future.

Great win!

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Yes!

In the last minute of the game:

• Noble's block on #14 leading to #14 stepping out of bounds? Winning play.

• Michelle's rebound in traffic to make Alabama use their fouls to give and leading to 2 FTs and a 6 point lead? Winning play.

Everyone gave whatever they could, including 6 rebounds from Kayla, 5 rebounds from Lulu, and 6 assists from Marta.

Post-game:

I was particularly impressed when Michelle fouled out. Lulu was right there to calm her down (it was a crap foul and Michelle was rightly upset and questioning).

"Relax! Don't get a T! Game's almost over - we got this!" Or words to that effect. This is a team. I'm looking forward to what is to come.

A road trip (even to Stockton to play Pacific) will be a good heat check for this team, as it is followed by 'furd a week later in Berkeley. These next two games will reveal a lot about the conference readiness of the team.

Go Bears!

wifeisafurd said:

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Furdies lost in OT to number 5 LSU as part of the ACC-SEC challenge. Thoughts on how Cal matches-up against Furd in the upcoming game?

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Furd was leading that game in the final seconds - by 6 with 40 seconds to go. (after leading by as many as 15 in first quarter)
They lost an in bounds pass with 15 seconds to go while up two.
So, it appears the Cardinal can be rattled by some pressure defense.

CalWSportsFan said:

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Post-game:

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Charmin looking majestic! As my sports-minded brother said 10 years ago, "Look at that demeanor; she should be a head coach."

Well, that's what non-conference is for....you could say the same about most every team out there right now....I was happy to see few turnovers this game and also the excellent defensive adjustment....Marta really took off 3rd quarter in a way that demonstrates her true abilities.

She is an engaging speaker and I would think an excellent recruiter

I know there are doubters but we are extremely fortunate she's our coach

BearBint said:

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CalWSportsFan said:

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Post-game:

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Charmin looking majestic! As my sports-minded brother said 10 years ago, "Look at that demeanor; she should be a head coach."

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