BERKELEY, Calif. (Interstat) — Chris Bell scored 20 points to lead California to a 72-66 victory over Stanford in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears (19-8) built a 39-25 halftime lead and held off a second-half rally by the Cardinal (16-11). Stanford cut the deficit to two points late, but California secured the win at the free-throw line. Bell’s performance was complemented by John Camden’s 18 points and Dai Dai Ames’ 17. Aidan Cammann led Stanford with 19 points, while Ebuka Okorie added 17. Despite forcing 10 turnovers and outscoring California in the paint, Stanford’s 20-for-60 shooting from the floor proved costly. Attendance was 9,020.

BERKELEY, Calif. (Interstat) — In a tense, physical contest defined by offensive struggles and critical plays in the final minutes, the California Golden Bears held off a second-half rally from the Stanford Cardinal to secure a 72-66 victory in an Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at a sold-out Haas Pavilion. A crowd of 9,020 watched as California improved to 19-8 overall, while Stanford fell to 16-11. The win completed a regular-season sweep for the Golden Bears, who also defeated Stanford 78-66 on Jan. 24. The most important part of the game unfolded in the final three minutes, with California clinging to a narrow lead. Stanford, which trailed by 14 points at halftime, had mounted a sustained comeback, cutting the deficit to just two points on multiple occasions in the second half. With 3:31 remaining, Stanford’s Aidan Cammann was fouled and made two free throws to pull the Cardinal within 66-64. The defensive intensity and execution from that point forward decided the outcome. On the ensuing possession, California’s Justin Pippen found Chris Bell for a driving layup to push the lead back to four. After a Stanford miss, the Golden Bears worked the clock and got a crucial turnaround jumper from Milos Ilic in the paint, extending the advantage to 68-64 with 2:51 left. Stanford’s Benny Gealer answered with a 3-pointer off an assist from Cammann, making it 68-67 with 2:23 on the clock, setting up a frantic finish. California’s next possession resulted in a missed jump shot by Pippen, giving Stanford a chance to take the lead. But the Cardinal came up empty on a 3-point attempt from Ebuka Okorie. After a scramble for the rebound, Stanford’s Ryan Agarwal had a second-chance layup in transition emphatically blocked by Ilic. The Golden Bears secured the defensive board, and Bell was fouled on the other end, sinking three pressure free throws to give California a 71-67 cushion with 1:14 remaining. Stanford could not respond, missing its next two 3-point attempts, and California’s John Camden sealed the game by making one of two free throws with 24 seconds left for the final margin. The game was a tale of two halves, heavily influenced by first-half inefficiency from Stanford. The Cardinal shot a dismal 25 percent from the field before halftime, managing only 25 points. California, led by Bell’s aggressive play and Dai Dai Ames’ scoring, built a 39-25 lead at the break despite its own uneven offense. Stanford emerged from halftime with renewed energy, opening the second period with a 17-6 run to cut the deficit to 45-42. The Cardinal’s defense forced turnovers and found a rhythm, largely through the efforts of Okorie and Cammann. Throughout the half, Stanford chipped away, but could never string together enough stops and scores to overtake the Golden Bears, who answered every Cardinal push with a key basket, often from Bell or Camden. Bell, a 6-foot-7 forward from Concord, California, led all scorers with 20 points, including several crucial baskets and free throws down the stretch. Ames, a guard from Chicago, added 17 points for the Golden Bears. Camden, a 6-foot-8 forward from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, contributed 18 points and was a force on the glass. For Stanford, Cammann, a 6-foot-10 forward from Andover, Massachusetts, posted 19 points and was central to the comeback attempt. Okorie, a guard from Nashua, New Hampshire, scored 17 points, while Gealer, from Palos Verdes Estates, California, added 15 points, all from beyond the arc. The statistical sheet underscored a game won on margins. California was significantly more efficient, scoring 72 points on 72 possessions for an offensive rating of 100.1, compared to Stanford’s 66 points on 75 possessions for an 88.3 rating. While both teams shot poorly from the field — Stanford at 33.3 percent and California at 34.9 percent — the Golden Bears capitalized at the free-throw line, making 19 of 23 attempts. Stanford struggled there, converting only 18 of 29. California also won the battle of hustle stats, out-rebounding Stanford offensively 11-9 and committing only three assists, indicative of a game dominated by individual creation over ball movement. Stanford’s defense was active, recording seven steals and six blocks, but it was not enough to overcome its own scoring droughts. The victory keeps California in strong position within the ACC as the regular season enters its final weeks, while Stanford will look to regroup after a hard-fought road loss where its second-half push ultimately fell short.

BERKELEY, Calif. (Interstat) — A pivotal Atlantic Coast Conference rivalry rematch is set for Saturday when the California Golden Bears host the Stanford Cardinal at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears (18-8, 8-5 ACC), who sit higher in the conference standings, look to complete a regular-season sweep after defeating the Cardinal 78-66 on Jan. 24 in Palo Alto. California has won three of its last five, most recently an 86-75 road victory at Boston College on Feb. 14. Stanford (16-10, 6-7) seeks to even the season series and bolster its postseason resume, having alternated wins and losses over its past six games. The Cardinal are coming off a 63-68 defeat at Wake Forest on Feb. 14. A key matchup will feature forwards with similar surnames: Stanford’s Aidan Cammann and California’s John Camden. Cammann is coming off a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds against Wake Forest and scored 19 in a narrow loss to Clemson on Feb. 4. For the Golden Bears, John Camden dominated the first meeting, scoring 25 points in the 12-point win. He is averaging 16.4 points over his last five contests. California’s offense, which averages 77.2 points per game, will test a Stanford defense that has allowed 70 or more points in four of its last five outings. The Cardinal counter with an offense that erupted for 95 points in a win over Georgia Tech on Feb. 7 but was held to 63 in its last time out. The Golden Bears have been strong at home in conference play, while Stanford looks to improve its road record in ACC action. With both teams jockeying for position ahead of next month’s ACC tournament, this rivalry clash carries significant weight. The game tips off at 7 p.m. PST on Saturday, Feb. 21. California’s next game is at home against SMU on Feb. 25. Stanford hosts Pittsburgh on the same date.