No. 10 seed Cal beats No. 2 seed Arizona State in Pac-12 quarterfinals for biggest upset in Pac-12 tournament history
FINAL | CAL 75, No. 10 ASU 64. Biggest upset in #pac12hoops history.#MARCHMAGIC pic.twitter.com/BpGhH4782y
— Cal Basketball (@CalWBBall) March 4, 2016
Making good on their promise to be the team that “no one wants to play” in the Pac-12 tournament, No. 10 Cal (15-16, 5-14) upset No. 2 seed Arizona State (25-5, 13-2), 75-64, Friday afternoon at KeyArena in Seattle.
Led by Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, Kristine Anigwe, Cal outscored Arizona in every quarter. By the end of the fourth period, the Sun Devils looked tired and sluggish in the face of a young team of no seniors and just two juniors. At the half, Cal led 32-27. The Bears continued their onslaught in the third with the first nine points from freshman point guard Asha Thomas. At the end of the period Cal had a double-digit lead, 54-44.
In the fourth quarter, Cal earned its largest point advantage of the game, 63-46, at 8:09 after a layup from Thomas. The Sun Devils tried to mount a comeback from the 17-point deficit but could get no closer than nine points.
The Bears held their lead even without Anigwe and Davidson on the bench as they both fouled out with a little over a minute left in regulation.
Anigwe finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore forward Penina had a career-high 17 points plus seven rebounds. Thomas added 16 points.
Sophie Brunner and Kianna Ibis led Arizona State with 14 points each. Brunner also had 11 rebounds. ASU’s floor general Elisha Davis contributed 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.
The victory for the Bears was the biggest upset in Pac-12 tournament history in terms of seeding.
Cal will face the winner of the Arizona vs. UCLA quarterfinal tomorrow at 6 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks.
ALL-ACCESS: Watch @CalCoachG's locker room speech after @calwbball's historic upset of ASU earlier today.https://t.co/kucMnOOUpa
— Pac-12 Networks (@Pac12Networks) March 4, 2016
Pac-12 quarterfinal: End of 1Q: Cal 17, Arizona State 13 #ncaaw pic.twitter.com/sSpONZlhnS
— Hoopfeed.com ? (@hoopfeed) March 4, 2016
Halftime: Cal 32, Arizona State 27 #ncaaw Kristine Anigwe 10pts/5rebs pic.twitter.com/qPUurBB8TF
— Hoopfeed.com ? (@hoopfeed) March 4, 2016
Pac-12 All-freshman team member Asha Thomas with 9pts for Cal so far in 3Q with three treys, Cal leads ASU 43-37, 4:29 3Q. #ncaaw
— Hoopfeed.com ? (@hoopfeed) March 4, 2016
End of 3Q: Cal 54, Arizona State 44 #ncaaw Anigwe 18pts/9rebs, Davidson 12pts/5rebs pic.twitter.com/hoSKrya4lN
— Hoopfeed.com ? (@hoopfeed) March 4, 2016
.@CalWBBall always had talent. When this uber-young team is locked in, willing to commit to effort, execution & focus they are dangerous!
— Ros Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) March 4, 2016
Arizona State not throwing in the towel- Sun Devils have cut Cal lead to 66-57 w/ 4:32 remaining. ASU on 9-3 spurt
— Kevin Danna (@kevo408) March 4, 2016
Cal's Kristine Anigwe fouls out with 1:15 left in 4Q, finishes with 24pts/11rebs. Bears lead Arizona State 72-60 #ncaaw
— Hoopfeed.com ? (@hoopfeed) March 4, 2016
Cal sophomore forward Penina Davidson fouls out with 1:09 to go. Leaves with 17pts/7rebs. Cal still holding 12pt lead. #ncaaw
— Hoopfeed.com ? (@hoopfeed) March 4, 2016
Pac-12 quarterfinal: #10 seed Cal 75, #2 seed Arizona State 64 #ncaaw Biggest upset in Pac-12 tourney history pic.twitter.com/NeOvYbbMnZ
— Hoopfeed.com ? (@hoopfeed) March 4, 2016
After winning the game, you definitely won the #DanceOff too! What a ride! We love you @CalWBBall ?? pic.twitter.com/eIlnshvodX
— Cal Band (@CalBand) March 4, 2016