Nov. 27, 1999

Box Score

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Sophomore forward/center Ami Forney scored 14 points and junior guard Kenya Corley added 11 for California (2-1), but the Golden Bears lost to Colorado State, 66-57, in the championship game of the Coors Rocky Mountain Invitational Saturday at Moby Arena.

Forney and Corley, both of whom have stepped up their contributions in this young season, were named to the all-tournament team for Cal. Forward Farrah McDill had a game-high 15 points for Colorado State.

"We knew it would be a 40 minute war, and that's what it was," said Cal head coach Marianne Stanley. "I was happy with our effort in a hostile environment. You could clearly see that both teams came ready to play hard."

For most of the first half, both teams kept the game within three points. Colorado State (3-1) led 19-16 with just under four minutes remaining in the half when the Rams proceeded to go on a 12-2 run keyed by two three pointers and a three-point play, giving them a 31-18 advantage at the break. Forney scored 10 of her career-high 14 points in the first half.

The Bears picked up their offensive and defensive intensity in the second half, outscoring the Rams 39-35. Cal kept the game within striking distance by not allowing Colorado State to grab a lead bigger than 14 points. The Bears scored the first four points of the second half on a jumper by Corley and two free throws by Forney, cutting the Rams lead to nine at 31-22 with 18:46 remaining. Cal cut CSU's lead to nine on five more occasions before it got over that hump and gave the 2,483 fans serious reason to worry for the home team.

Cal trailed 57-48 with 3:46 left in the game when redshirt sophomore forward Kawai Matthews drained a three pointer and nailed two free throws to cut the Rams lead to four (57-53) with 2:09 left. The two teams then traded baskets, putting the score at 59-55 with 93 ticks on the clock. CSU's Angie Gorton then converted on a three-point play, placing the Bears in a position to foul down the stretch. CSU iced the game making four-of-six clutch free throws.

Cal's defense was solid for the third-consecutive game. Highlights of that defensive effort include junior forward Lauren Ashbaugh swiping a career-high five steals and making two blocked shots. Junior guard Courtney Johnson is averaging 3.3 steals per game this season after posting another three today. The Bears also outrebounded the Rams, 45-41, a feat they've accomplished in all three games this season. Forney matched her career high with eight boards, while Ashbaugh also added eight.

"I was happy with our defense," said Stanley, whose team handed CSU its only regular season loss last year (33-1). "This is a team that scored over 100 points last night. They had a couple of threes at critical times late when it was a close ball game. Give them credit."

Cal next travels to Bay Area rival Santa Clara Thursday, Dec. 2, for a 7 p.m. tip-off.