Cal was able to outlast the Ducks, securing a home sweep over the Oregon schools for the first time since its 2015-16 campaign.
Haas Pavilion played host to the Oregon Ducks for its last home game of the season, and last of the Pac-12 era.
Cal was able to outlast the Ducks 69-64. Paired with its come-from-behind victory Thursday night against Oregon State, and the blue and gold secured a home sweep over both Oregon schools for the first time since its 2015-16 campaign.
For the first time since 2019-20, the Bears reach 13 wins and are now 13-15 overall and move into the top five in the Pac-12 with a 9-8 conference record.
“We’ve been at two games at conference a lot — two games in a row — we hadn’t been able to get to the third win. So we discussed that today as a group and that was an emphasis point and we got over the hump tonight, now let’s make it four,” said head coach Mark Madsen.
The first half was like any other Cal game, playing from behind but always remaining in striking distance. The Bears’ struggles came in the half’s last 10 minutes, shooting just 1-8 to close out, totaling 11-30 overall and 4-13 from three in the game’s first 20 minutes.
However, that wasn’t the biggest worry for Cal as likely All-Pac-12 player Jaylon Tyson hit the deck hard, dropping a silence over the Haas crowd. The standout guard was assisted off the court by head coach Mark Madsen and remained in the locker room as the last few minutes ticked in the first half.
Rest assured, Tyson returned for the start of the second half and was aggressive as ever — scoring six of Cal’s first 10 points.
“I know me. You can chop my arm off and I’m still coming out (to play). As long as I have (my right arm), I’m good,” Tyson said.
Coming off of his worst performance of the season against the Beavers where he scored a season-low 7 points on a 3-15 shooting night, Tyson bounced back strong with 27 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal in Saturday’s win over the Ducks.
“I told myself, ‘It’s not going to happen again’ in the rest of these games. So to keep putting wins together is big-time for this program,” Tyson said.
As much credit as the junior guard deserves, games are won when all five guys play in sync. The supporting cast was the biggest factor in stretching the Bears’ winning streak to three — the largest of the season.
Keonte Kennedy continued shooting the ball well, finishing with 8 points on 60% shooting (67% from three). Jalen Cone once again found his stride in the second half, hitting three timely threes in his 15-point performance.
Holding Oregon without a field goal for almost 10 minutes (0-12) to kickstart the second half catapulted Cal to the game’s largest lead at 8 points.
The Ducks brought the game back to a single possession, but the Bears held on to win one final time in front of their home fans, making Haas truly the “Haas of Pain.”
“These fans mean so much to us as a team, as a university. It’s a complete team effort. Every member of leadership has been fully committed — our marketing team, the students, the alumni, the boosters, the financial supporters. This is hundreds of people coming together to make a plan to fill this arena up,” Madsen said. “We have to do our part. Our players have to do their part. I have to do my part. But it’s happening and it’s going to happen more.”
After closing out its home season, Cal heads out on the road to Boulder to take on the 17-9 Colorado Buffaloes.
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