Dec 29, 2003

Final Stats| Quotes

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - Air Force held California to six points in the final 8:06 and upset the Bears 49-44 to win the Office Depot Golden Bear Classic on Sunday night.

Joel Gerlach scored 10 points to lead the Falcons (6-2), who won their fourth straight game.

Leon Powe was a bright spot for California (4-5), scoring 25 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

The rest of the Bear starters were 6-of-22 from the field against an Air Force squad that leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 49.3 points per game. As a team, California shot just 38.9 percent from the field, including 1-for-8 from 3-point range.

A.J. Kuhle hit a 3-pointer with 50 seconds left to put Air Force ahead 46-42, and Tim Keller hit three free throws in the final 25 seconds to seal the victory. Keller and Antoine Hood each had nine points for Air Force.

The game was tied 20-20 at halftime after Kuhle hit a 35-footer at the buzzer.

The Falcons took a 25-22 lead early in the second half, but California then used a 16-8 run to take a 38-33 lead with 8:06 remaining.

Air Force answered with a 10-0 run, including a 3-pointer and two lay-ups by Hood, that put the Falcons up 43-38 with 3:55 to play. The smothering Air Force defense helped hold California in check the rest of the way.