Amber Aniston • December 11, 2024

Cornell Shocks California with 88-80 Victory in Berkeley

The Cornell Big Red secured a historic 88-80 win over the California Golden Bears on Tuesday night at Haas Pavilion, marking their first victory against an ACC opponent since 1951. Led by career-high performances from AK Okereke and Cooper Noard, Cornell overcame a furious second-half rally by Cal to extend their record to 7-3 and earn a statement win on the road. 


California, now 6-4, erased a 23-point second-half deficit and briefly took the lead late in the game, but Cornell’s Guy Ragland Jr.’s clutch three-pointer with just over five minutes left shifted momentum back to the Big Red, who never trailed again. 


Cornell’s First-Half Dominance 

Cornell wasted no time asserting control, jumping out to an early double-digit lead behind their efficient offensive system. The Big Red shot a blistering 55.6% from the field in the first half, with Noard and Okereke combining for 26 points. A 13-3 run midway through the half, capped by a three-pointer from Nazir Williams, put Cornell firmly in command. 


By halftime, Cornell led 47-29, forcing 13 turnovers from the Golden Bears and converting them into 15 points. California, which entered the game averaging 13.1 turnovers per game, struggled to handle Cornell’s defensive pressure. Andrej Stojakovic, a key player for Cal, was limited to eight minutes in the first half due to foul trouble and did not score. 


Cal’s Resilient Comeback 

The Golden Bears came out of the locker room with renewed energy, embarking on a 40-19 run that electrified the home crowd. Joshua Ola-Joseph spearheaded the comeback effort, scoring 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds. Cal’s resurgence was fueled by a combination of improved ball movement and three-point shooting, with Ola-Joseph and Jeremiah Wilkinson hitting key shots to chip away at the deficit. 


Stojakovic, who had been quiet in the first half, came alive in the second, scoring all 13 of his points in the final 20 minutes. His three-pointer with 5:15 remaining gave Cal their first lead of the game at 72-71, capping an extraordinary rally that erased Cornell’s 23-point advantage. 


Cornell Closes the Door 

Despite Cal’s momentum, Cornell responded with composure. Ragland Jr.’s three-pointer 15 seconds after Cal took the lead swung the game back in Cornell’s favor. The Big Red followed with an 11-2 run, punctuated by a critical three-point play from Jake Fiegen with 1:34 remaining to extend their lead to 79-74. 


Okereke and Noard carried Cornell down the stretch, combining for 10 of the team’s final 13 points. Okereke finished with 24 points and five rebounds, while Noard added 21 points and four assists. Williams and Fiegen also made significant contributions, scoring 18 and 11 points, respectively. 


Cal had opportunities to close the gap in the final minutes but missed crucial shots and struggled to contain Cornell’s efficient offense. The Golden Bears also faltered at the free-throw line, missing two key attempts in the game’s final stretch. 


Key Performances and Statistics 

Ola-Joseph’s 21 points and Stojakovic’s second-half surge highlighted Cal’s offensive effort. Mady Sissoko added 13 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting night, while Wilkinson and Jovan Blacksher Jr. chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively. 


Cornell’s balanced attack proved decisive, with four players scoring in double figures. The Big Red finished the game shooting 52.2% from the field and recorded 15 assists on 32 made baskets. Their ability to execute in transition and maintain poise under pressure underscored their strong team play. 


Cal’s defense remained a concern, allowing Cornell to shoot 68.6% on two-point attempts. The Golden Bears’ interior defense struggled to contain Cornell’s off-ball movement and precision passing, leading to multiple uncontested looks near the basket. 


Looking Ahead 

California will look to regroup as they prepare to host Northwestern State on Saturday in their final non-conference home game. The Golden Bears will aim to address their defensive lapses and turnover issues as they seek to snap their three-game losing streak. 


Cornell, riding high after this historic win, will return home to face Ivy League rival Brown in their next matchup. With their unique offensive system firing on all cylinders, the Big Red have positioned themselves as a formidable contender within their conference. 


A Historic Triumph for Cornell 

Cornell’s 88-80 victory over California was a testament to their discipline, execution, and resilience. Ending a 42-game losing streak against ACC opponents, the Big Red proved they could compete with teams from power conferences. For Cal, the loss highlighted both their potential and the challenges they must address to achieve consistency. As both teams move forward, this game serves as a pivotal moment in their respective seasons. 

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