Jan. 29, 2005

Box Score

By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer

BERKELEY, Calif. - Rod Benson had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Dominic McGuire added 11 points and California scored 20 consecutive points in the first half of a 91-66 victory over Oregon State on Saturday night.

Richard Midgley returned from a shoulder injury to score nine points in the highest-scoring performance of the season for the Golden Bears (11-8, 4-5 Pac-10), who have won three straight. They had little trouble beating Oregon State for the 14th straight time - the longest winning streak in the history of a series dating back to 1915.

Cal held the Beavers scoreless for more than 7{ minutes in the first half, turning a five-point deficit into what turned out to be an insurmountable lead. Benson had five points in the 20-0 run, and Richard Midgley had a 3-pointer.

Midgley, the Bears' leading scorer, sat out the previous three games to rest his shoulder. He hit two 3-pointers as Cal swept its home games against the Oregon schools for the seventh straight year.

Cal's offense has improved remarkably since Midgley was forced to the sidelines. Benson, Dominic McGuire and freshman DeVon Hardin all scored impressive baskets in the low post, and Midgley's replacements at point guard - Ayinde Ubaka and Martin Smith - combined for 16 points and 11 assists.

David Lucas had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Beavers (11-9, 3-6), who are winless in five conference road games. They have lost six of seven since beating UCLA and USC at home in the opening week of conference play.

Vic Remmers had a career-high nine points, but the Beavers made 19 turnovers and allowed 46 points in the paint by Cal. Chris Stephens and Nick DeWitz also scored nine points apiece.

Benson scored in double figures for the eighth time in Cal's nine Pac-10 games while also leading the Bears in rebounds for the sixth straight game. The 6-foot-10 junior is one of the nation's most improved players, raising his scoring average by more than 10 points from last season.