March 9, 2006

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With a victory, California...

Advances to the semifinals of the Pac-10 Tournament for the first time since 2003, when the Bears fell in the semifinals to USC, and for the fourth time overall.

Improves to 5-8 all-time in the tournament and to 2-1 against USC in the tournament.

Defeats USC for the third time this season after the Trojans had entered the season with a three-game winning streak in the series. The teams came into 2005-06 with a 5-5 split over their previous 10 games.

Rallies from a halftime deficit to win a game for the first time this season (1-5).

Scores 51 second-half points, its best point total after halftime since the Bears scored 52 in an 88-58 win at Arizona State on Jan. 19, 2006.

Increased its season win total to 19, the Bears' best since 2002-03 when they went 22-9 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Clinched at least a 19-win season for the sixth time in Ben Braun's 10 seasons.

Player Notes

Leon Powe set a Pac-10 tournament record with 20 rebounds and established the highest rebound total by a Bear since 1982 (22, Mark McNamara at Arizona, Jan. 30, 1982).

Powe ran his streak of converted free throws to 13 before missing the first of two in the first half. His streak began against UCLA on March 2.

Powe has now scored in double figures in 17-straight games.

Powe now has a Pac-10-high 14 double-doubles this season, equaling his freshman-season total.

Powe set three Cal records for Pac-10 Tournament play:
Most rebounds in a Pac-10 Tournament game (20)
Most free throws attempted in a Pac-10 Tournament game (17)
Most free throws made in a Pac-10 Tournament game (12)

Eric Vierneisel's first-half three-pointer was his second of the season and his point total of 10 was his best since his first career game (20-2005 season-opener vs. UC Riverside), when he scored 12 points.

Omar Wilkes scored 14 points for his highest output since he scored 15 in a 71-69 win over Washington on Jan. 26.