calbears.com photo: Cal Bears Matt Bradley (20) takes it to USC on Thursday night, Bradley led Cal with 13 points in Southland
By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips
It was too much Jonah Mathews and Daniel Utomi as the USC Trojans (13-3) defeated the Cal Bears (8-9) on Thursday night 88-56. For Mathews 19 points and for Utomi 17. It was the eighth win in nine tries for USC.
Onyeka Okongwu contributed with eight rebounds and scored 12 points in the victory. The Trojans dominated the contested as Cal could only lead for the first minute and a half and it was all Trojans after that.
The Trojans sank 14 three pointers and took their liberties about it with Mathews chalking up three 3 pointers. Cal’s Matt Bradley scored 13 points as Cal’s top scorer. Bradley normally noted as the top scorer on the Bears could only do so much as the Trojan defense proved just effective.
Cal guard Kareem South scored 12 points but the Bears failed in 20 tries out of 25 to make the three point shot. From the free throw line the Bears suffered just as well going 11-22. The Trojans were well in front in each quarter leading Cal by at least 16 points per each half and pulled down 45 rebounds to Cal’s 28.
The Bears go back to the drawing board as they head to Pauley Pavilion for a Sunday night game with the UCLA Bruins (8-9) for a 5:00 pm tip. The Bruins were walloped by the Stanford Cardinal (15-2) in their last game 74-59.
Morris Phillips and Michael Duca podcast and cover Cal basketball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com
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