On a day full of upsets in the Pac-12 and across the country, Cal’s bid fell short as the Bears lost to No. 15 Oregon State, 76-63.
The Bears made only 31% of their shots in the first three quarters but managed to stay within one at halftime and were only down by five with a minute left in the third. But Oregon State put on a 14-0 run to put the game out of reach.
In her final game at Haas, Jaelyn Brown shook off a poor shooting day to score 17 points. Cailyn Crocker continued her recent strong play with 17 points of her own. Alaysia Styles had a game-high nine rebounds.
The Bears never found an answer for Mikayla Pivec, who had a game-high 24 points and seven rebounds as Oregon State dominated the glass, 41-31. Destiny Slocum had 17 points, and the two stars combined to shoot 17 of 30 as the Beavers hit 51% of their shots.
Afterwards, Cal head coach Charmin Smith focused more on the fact that this was Cal’s last game of the season than on the game itself.
“It was it was a really emotional day for a lot of reasons,” said Smith. “They just really enjoy playing with one another. I know we didn't play particularly well today. But just the feel and the commitment to one another, I think it's truly something special. I'm just really proud of that. And it's a special group of people and I wish we had more wins. But I'm really grateful that we're together. We're family and we've enjoyed our time.“
Bears are now 10-17 (2-14 Pac-12).
Cal opened the game with decisiveness on offense, with everyone ready to shoot. CJ West’s putback opened the scoring on Cal’s first possession, followed by Jaelyn Brown’s smooth jumper splashing in to pull Cal ahead 4-0.
But Cal also gave away a couple of possessions, and OSU ran it back, keeping pace with short jumpers.
Alaysia Styles hit a three from the top of the key. Chen Yue called for the ball and hit a long jumper, keeping Cal ahead 9-6.
Oregon State took its first lead at 10-9, after two free throws by Mikayla Pivec, at the 3-minute mark in the first. The senior would score eight in the first period.
The two teams traded the lead, and Cal ended up with the last shot. Leilani McIntosh found space down the lane, and her runner banked in, giving Cal the 16-24 lead after 10 minutes of play.
Pivec continued to use her strength and guile to get deep into the paint, scoring four quick points to help the Beavers edge ahead. She also drew a foul on Jaelyn Brown, her second, sending Cal’s leading scorer to the bench early in the second.
Cal missed a series of good shots--nine in a row, staying scoreless for nearly five minutes. Chen Yue’s lefty layin finally dropped for Cal, and the Bears trailed 20-18.
Cailyn Crocker battled hard on a box out to draw a foul. Then on the other end, the freshman scored four consecutive points, tying the game at 22.
With both teams struggling to score, Cal continued to play with intensity and hustle, earning support from the crowd.
Destiny Slocum earned a three point play to give OSU back the lead, and Crocker narrowed it with Cal’s second buzzer-beater.
At halftime, Oregon State was ahead 25-24. Only three Beavers had scored--Pivec (12 points), Slocum (9), and Taylor Jones (4).
Crocker led seven Bears in the scoring column with eight. Styles grabbed five rebounds to help Cal keep pace (-1) on the glass.
Patricia Morris scored down low for Oregon State to open the third, and Styles matched her on the other end.
Cal trapping pressure earned a turnover, but the Bears could not cash it in on the other end. The Beavers then made Cal pay for their risky defense, twice finding Maddie Washington wide open for elbow jumpers, and OSU pulled ahead 31-26.
Styles hit a three, and Brown got herself to the line, hitting one to pull Cal to 31-30.
But Oregon State simply sent Washington back to her spot, and the senior sank two more jumpers, restoring the five point lead.
Halfway through the third, Cal was shooting 2 of 10, while Oregon State was five of six.
Cal put on pressure after a time-out, but Oregon State broke it easily, finding Kat Tudor for a corner three, putting the Beavers up 38-30.
The Bears seemed confused on offense and were forced to call time.
Jaylen Brown caught fire, hitting three jumpers in a row, the last a three-point play, and Cal pulled back within 46-41.
Oregon State then went back to their reliable stars, and Pivec and Slocum combined to shoot six of eight and score 12 points to end the third, putting the Beavers up 52-43.
Aleah Goodman hit a three--OSU’s 2nd after six misses to open the game, and the Beavers had their first double-digit lead.
With Cal going small, Oregon State exploited mismatches and stretched the lead. A rare Cal turnover--only the 7th of the game--gave the Beavers the advantage on the other end, and Pivec put it down, completing the 14-0 run that spanned the third and the start of the fourth and putting Cal behind 62-43.
Brown scored down low, and West ran ahead of everyone for a layup. Crocker hit two jumpers for five points, and McIntosh hit two free-throws. And while Cal’s offense finally got untracked, the damage was done.
All that was left was the opportunity for fans to appreciate the seniors as they exited the game.
Alaysia Style hit a free throw to close out Cal’s final home game of the season.
After the game, the program honored the five seniors, with each player speaking directly to the crowd and receiving a tribute from a teammate: Chen Yue (Alaysia Styles); Sara Anastasieska (Archer Olson); Mi’Cole Cayton (Sierra Richey); CJ West (Leilani McIntosh); and Jaelyn Brown (Cailyn Crocker).
The Bears honored their five seniors--Chen Yue, Sara Anastasieska, Mi’Cole Cayton, CJ West, and Jaelyn Brown--both before and after the game.
