California 71-66 USC (Nov 17, 2024) Game Recap

Golden Bears Edge Trojans in Thriller

In a thrilling Pac-12 Conference matchup, the California Golden Bears defeated the USC Trojans 71-66 on November 17, 2024, at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California. The victory marked Cal's third straight win of the season and improved their record to 4-1, while USC dropped to 2-3.

Slow Start for Trojans

USC struggled out of the gate, shooting just 28.6% from the field in the first half. The Trojans also committed nine turnovers, allowing Cal to take a 35-26 lead at the break.

Trojans Rally in the Second Half

USC came out with renewed energy in the second half, cutting Cal's lead to just four points with 10 minutes remaining. However, the Golden Bears responded with a 9-0 run to regain control of the game.

Free Throw Shooting Proves Costly

USC's inability to make free throws ultimately proved costly. The Trojans shot just 57.9% from the charity stripe, while Cal connected on 80% of their free throws.

Key Players

For Cal, Jalen Celestine led the way with 22 points, while Sam Alajiki added 15 points and 10 rebounds. For USC, Kobe Johnson scored a team-high 18 points, and Kijani Wright contributed 14 points.

Impact on the Pac-12 Standings

The victory strengthens Cal's position in the Pac-12 standings, while USC's loss drops them closer to the bottom of the conference. The win also gives Cal a boost of confidence heading into their upcoming games against Oregon and UCLA.