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Cal Embraces 'Underdog Mentality' in Commanding 65-53 Season Opener Win Against Saint Mary's

Bears Stifle Saint Mary's

The California Golden Bears men's basketball team opened their 2023-24 campaign with a resounding 65-53 victory over the Saint Mary's Gaels at Haas Pavilion. Despite being picked to finish 11th in the Pac-12 Preseason Coaches Poll, Cal played with a chip on their shoulder and embraced the underdog role.

First Half Dominance

The Bears seized control of the game from the outset, holding Saint Mary's to just 22.6% shooting in the first half. Cal's defense forced eight turnovers and limited the Gaels to only 21 points before halftime. Offensively, the Bears were led by five first-half three-pointers from junior guard Devin Askew, who finished with a game-high 17 points.

Maintaining the Lead

In the second half, Saint Mary's made a push to close the gap, but Cal responded with timely baskets to maintain their lead. The Bears' bench provided valuable contributions, with freshman forward Amare Calhoun scoring 10 points and grabbing 6 rebounds.

Impeccable Defense

Cal's defense continued to shine throughout the game, holding Saint Mary's to just 32.8% shooting from the field and 20% from three-point range. The Gaels were also outrebounded by the Bears 42-34. Junior forward Grant Anticevich led Cal with 8 rebounds

Post-Game Reaction

Head coach Mark Fox praised his team's performance, saying, "I'm really proud of our guys. They came out with a great mentality and executed our game plan. We played with a lot of heart and toughness."

Senior guard Jordan Shepherd added, "We knew we were the underdogs coming into this game, but we didn't let that affect us. We embraced the challenge and played together as a team."

Conclusion

The Bears' season-opening victory is a testament to their hard work and determination. By embracing the underdog mentality and playing with a relentless defense, Cal has set the tone for a promising season. The team will look to continue their winning ways when they travel to face the UC Riverside Highlanders on Friday, November 11th.