Cal rolls over UCSB 87 - 66 in Golden Bear Classic championship

The host University of California Golden Bears soundly defeated the UCSB Men's basketball team 87 - 66 in the championship game of the Golden Bear Classic. The Bears (8 - 4) combined deadly perimeter shooting with a powerful inside attack to put the game out of reach early in the first half.

The Gauchos (5 - 5) were led by Orlando Johnson's 17 points, while Greg Somogyi chipped in 12 points coming off the bench. Somogyi also led the Gauchos with eight rebounds with Johnson contributing seven boards. Somogyi disrupted the Bears' offense by blocking 3 shots and altering others, but the Bears used their bulk and size to dominate the boards 45 to 25, led by Sanders-Frison's ten rebounds.

Cal's Patrick Christopher and Jerome Randle torched the Gauchos for 25 and 23 points, respectively, with many points coming from the perimeter.

The Gauchos commence Big West Conference play against the UC-Irvine Anteaters on Saturday, January 2 in Irvine, CA. Game time at the Bren Center is 7:00 pm.

Box Score

UCSB beats Furman 72 - 60 in Golden Bear Classic

The UCSB Men's basketball team pulled away from Furman in the second half to beat the Paladins 72 - 60 in the first round of the Golden Bear Classic in Berkeley, California. UCSB (5 - 4) was led by James Nunnally's career-high 24 points and Orlando Johnson's 21 points. Nunnally, Johnson, Will Brew, and Jaime Serna all had five rebounds, and Paul Roemer led the Gauchos with four assists and two steals, while disrupting Furman's (5 - 6) offensive possessions.

The Paladins were led by Paladins with 19 points while Amu Saaka added 16 points.

The Gauchos led 36 - 33 after the first half on the strength of shooting 7-of-9 behind the 3 point line. Despite missing all six 3-point shots in the second half, UCSB was able to pull away by taking the ball inside, hitting free throws, and locking down on the defensive end.