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Cal Golden Bears Fall to Idaho State Bengals in Season Opener

Idaho State Upsets Cal in Season Opener

In a surprising turn of events, the Idaho State Bengals defeated the California Golden Bears 75-62 in their season opener on Monday night. The Bengals, who were picked to finish near the bottom of the Big Sky Conference this season, played inspired basketball from start to finish, while the Golden Bears struggled to find their footing all night long.

The Bengals were led by junior guard Estefania Ors, who scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Ors was a force all night long, hitting big shots and getting to the free-throw line consistently. She also had a team-high seven rebounds and five assists.

The Golden Bears were led by sophomore guard Jayda Curry, who scored 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting. Curry was the only Cal player to reach double figures, and she struggled to get her teammates involved in the offense.

Cal Struggles to Find Offensive Rhythm

One of the biggest reasons for Cal's loss was their inability to find an offensive rhythm. The Golden Bears shot just 38.5% from the field and 25% from three-point range. They also turned the ball over 15 times, which led to several easy baskets for the Bengals.

Head coach Charmin Smith was disappointed with her team's performance, but she also knows that there is plenty of time to improve. "We're still a young team, and we're going to make mistakes," Smith said. "But we have to learn from our mistakes and get better. I'm confident that we can do that."

Idaho State Bengals Play Inspired Basketball

The Bengals, on the other hand, played with great energy and enthusiasm from start to finish. They were the more physical team, and they were able to get to the free-throw line 20 times, compared to just 10 for the Golden Bears.

Head coach Seton Sobolewski was proud of his team's effort. "I thought we played with great heart and determination tonight," Sobolewski said. "We knew that Cal was a talented team, but we didn't back down. We played our game, and we got the win."

What's Next?

The Golden Bears will look to bounce back from their season-opening loss when they host the UC Davis Aggies on Thursday night. The Bengals, meanwhile, will host the Montana State Bobcats on Saturday night.