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Jalen Cone sparks Cal’s 2nd-half rally vs. Oregon State

February 22, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers forward Michael Rataj (12) passes the basketball against California Golden Bears guard Jalen Celestine (32) during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Cal rallied from a 11-point, second-half deficit to keep Oregon State winless on the road this season with an 81-73 victory Thursday at Berkeley, Calif.

The Beavers (11-16, 3-13 Pac-12) are 0-8 in true road games and 0-11 overall away from Corvallis, Ore.

Cal (12-15, 8-8) was led by Fardaws Aimaq’s 21 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

The Golden Bears’ Jalen Cone scored 17 points, all in the second half, when he was 5 of 8 from 3-point range. Jalen Celestine added 15 points and Keonte Kennedy had 11.

Oregon State was led by Jordan Pope’s 23 points. Tyler Bilodeau contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Dexter Akanno had 15 points.

Bilodeau’s layup with 2:37 left cut Cal’s lead to 77-73.

Oregon State missed its next four shots, including three in one possession, and committed a turnover.

Cal was scoreless for almost three minutes before Aimaq made a jumper in the lane to increase the lead to 79-73 with 24 seconds left.

Akanno then missed a 3-point attempt and Cal got the rebound. Aimaq made two free throws with eight seconds left to seal the victory.

Oregon State missed its last six shots from the field over the last 2:03 of the game.

The Beavers outscored Cal 14-5 to take a 21-10 lead with 11:47 left in the first half.

Michael Rataj, Akanno and Bilodeau each made a 3-pointer to start the run.

The Beavers had at least a six-point edge the rest of the half and led 43-34 at halftime.

Shortly after Oregon State took an 11-point lead early in the second half, an 11-3 run by Cal cut the deficit to 50-48 with 15:02 remaining.

Celestine scored the last six points for Cal in that stretch, including two dunks.

Oregon State answered with seven unanswered points to stretch the lead to 57-48 with 12:55 left.

Cal, sparked by two 3-pointers by Cone, responded by outscoring Oregon State 11-2 to tie the game at 59 with 10:13 left.

Celestine made two 3-pointers in an 11-0 run to give the Golden Bears a 77-71 lead with 3:02 left.

–Field Level Media

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