Jan 11, 2003

Final Stats| Quotes

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - Joe Shipp scored a career-high 35 points as California defeated Oregon State for the ninth straight time, 78-73 Saturday night.

Against the Pac-10 conference's top-ranked defense, Shipp made 12-of-16 shots, including 4-for-5 on 3-pointers.

Cal scored just once in the first 3:42, but then went on a 13-0 run capped by consecutive 3-pointers by Brian Wethers, Amit Tamir and Shipp, giving the Bears a 15-6 lead with 12:15 left in the first half.

Oregon State eventually caught up, taking a 28-25 lead after consecutive jumpers by Lamar Hurd, but Cal lead at the end of the half 42-33, after a 17-4 run keyed by more 3-point shooting.

The Bears (10-2, 3-0) finished shooting 27-for-53 from the field. Oregon State made 28 of 58 shots.

Phillip Ricci led Oregon State (7-6, 0-4) with 23 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Beavers cut a 15-point deficit to 56-51 before Shipp drilled three straight 3-pointers to bring the score to 68-55 with 4:02 left.

The Beavers clawed back with some long-range shooting, but Shipp connected on five of six free throws down the stretch to seal it.

Notes: Tamir suffered a strained right knee in the second half and did not return; his status will be updated early in the week ... Cal is 3-0 in Pac-10 play for the first time since 1996 ... Erik Bond grabbed a career-high 6 rebounds, while Richard Midgley had a persona-best 6 assists with no turnovers.