Cal Handles Florida A&M 88-58

BERKELEY, Calif. – The Cal women’s basketball team (9-2) closed out non-conference play with an 88-58 victory over Florida A&M (2-8) at Haas Pavilion Sunday afternoon. The matchup was part of the Pac-12/SWAC Legacy Series, a partnership between the two conferences aimed at creating both a forum for competition, as well as promotion and education around issues of anti-racism and social justice. For the second time this season, five Bears scored in double-figures, led by Jayda Curry who had 19 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting, which included three 3-pointers.

“I think this was a solid way to wrap up non-conference play,” Cal head coach Charmin Smith said. “We are good to be sitting at 9-2 and ready for what’s next with a big matchup on Friday against Stanford. I think we’ve shown that we can play with the best teams in the country.”

Cal opened the game getting fouled on consecutive 3-point attempts and knocking down all six free throws to take the early lead in what would be a wire-to-wire victory. After a Florida A&M layup tied the game halfway through the first, Cal went on a 12-2 run to finish the quarter, helped out by four Rattler turnovers during that span. Cal turned up the defense in the second quarter holding Florida A&M to just 25 percent shooting and just nine points. The Bears ended the quarter on a 14-4 run capped off by a Curry 3-pointer to go into the break with a 41-19 lead. Mia Mastrov led the team with a season-high 10 points off the bench on 4-of-6 shooting, which included two 3-pointers.

The Bears were able to hold the Rattlers at bay in the second half, never allowing the lead to dip below 18 points while shooting 50 percent from the field, led by Curry who had 12 of her 19 points in the second half. Cal closed the game on a 15-4 run on its way to building its biggest lead of the game at 31 points before coasting to the win. Kemery Martín had 15 points, followed by Leilani McIntosh and Peanut Tuitele with 10 points each to join Curry and Mastrov in double-figures. Tuitele also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. Cal’s bench play continued to be a factor with 30 points to Florida A&M’s six and has outscored the opposition in all but one game this season.

The Rattlers were led by Dylan Horton’s 22 points. 

The Bears begin Pac-12 conference play with a road matchup against No. 2 Stanford on Friday, December 23 at noon.