Atlantic Coast Conference newcomer, the California Golden Bears improved to 4-1 in ACC play with statement home wins over NC State and Florida State last week to improve to 16-2 overall, their best start since the 2012-13 season, when California won 28 of its first 30 games and advanced to the Women’s Final Four.
The Bears have now won three consecutive games following a 69-58 loss at Clemson on Jan. 2. The wins kept California a perfect 11-0 at home and the Bears are two wins away from tying the program record for the best start at home, which was set when they began 13-0 during the 1982-83 season. The victories also marked California’s sixth and seventh this year over a team from last season’s NCAA tournament.
In the 78-71 win over No. 21 NC State on Jan. 9, five Bears scored in double figures, with 6-3 senior forward Marta Suárez leading the way with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Kayla Williams added 15 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Ioanna Krimili added 15 points and Michelle Onyiah contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds to California’s balanced attack.
In Sunday’s 82-70 win over Florida State, sophomore guard Lulu Twidale hit five 3-pointers and finished with 19 points, Krimili added 18 points and Suárez scored 17 as the Golden Bears led by as many as 34 points and cruised to victory. Onyiah added 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting for California.
Up six spots to No. 18 in Monday’s Associated Press Top-25 Women’s Basketball Poll, California returns to action on Thursday, January 16 when the Bears visit No. 16 Duke.
