The California men’s basketball team lost to the University of Pittsburgh 72-56 at Haas Pavilion on Saturday. The defeat dropped Cal’s overall record to 20-9 and evened its Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) mark at 8-8. Pitt improved to 11-18 overall and 4-12 in conference play.
Cal struggled offensively, particularly with turnovers, giving up the ball 12 times in the first half alone. This contributed to Pitt building a 34-26 halftime lead. Although Cal shot better than Pitt early—47.8 percent from the field compared to Pitt’s 44.4 percent—the Bears never led during the opening period.
In the second half, Cal’s shooting declined, finishing at 42.6 percent for the game and making just five of its twenty-two three-point attempts. Pitt shot 46.4 percent overall, hit seven threes on twenty-one tries, and converted thirteen of sixteen free throws. Cal attempted only seven free throws all game, making five—a season low for both makes and attempts. Pitt also outrebounded Cal by a margin of thirty-four to twenty-nine.
Dai Dai Ames led Cal with eleven points while Lee Dort added ten points in the loss. Four Panthers scored in double figures: Cameron Corhen and Nojus Indrusaitis each had sixteen points; Barry Dunning Jr., who also grabbed twelve rebounds, finished with fifteen; Damarco Minor scored thirteen.
Pitt started strong with a quick five-point lead that forced Cal into an early deficit. DeJuan Campbell put together eight straight points for the Bears, but despite narrowing the gap several times—including cutting it to two midway through the first half—Cal trailed by eight at halftime after Pitt closed out on a run.
After halftime, Pitt extended its lead again before Cal answered with a six-point spurt capped by scores from Milos Ilic and Jalen Camden that brought them within three points with just over thirteen minutes left. However, a prolonged scoreless stretch hurt their comeback chances as Pitt rebuilt a double-digit advantage late in the game.
Ames ended Cal’s drought with a basket at six-and-a-half minutes remaining and later completed a three-point play that made it 58-51 with just over four minutes left, but Pittsburgh maintained control until the final buzzer.
Following this loss, Cal will finish its ACC regular-season schedule on an extended road trip facing Georgia Tech on March 4 before playing Wake Forest in Winston-Salem on March 7. The Bears will then head to Charlotte for the ACC Tournament beginning March 10.
“California Through and Through” is more than a slogan – it’s a statement of identity, pride and our trajectory as Cal Men’s Basketball,” according to program materials. “Just like our state, our program is engaging, diverse and inspiring. We have a rich history and legacy, and we have a bright future. Being California Through and Through means we celebrate our community and our place within it.”
