BERKELEY – Sophomore Mercedes Jefflo led the Bears with a career-high 17 points, and freshman Penina Davidson scored all 15 of her career-high points in the second half to lead California to a 67-49 win over Utah in Saturday's Pac-12 opener for both teams.

Senior Brittany Boyd recorded her fifth double-double of the season - and second in as many games - for California (9-3, 1-0 Pac-12) with 16 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five assists. Boyd also collected three steals in the game to move past Tammy Story for No. 3 on the Pac-12 all-time steals list with 311 in her career.

"I think that we came back from Christmas practicing better, at a whole different level," California head coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. "It's raised our team up, other people respond and I was really happy to see them make plays. I'm really just excited about the way that we played as a team, and it's only one game, but it's a good start and we'll go forward from here."

Junior Danielle Rodriguez set the pace for the Utes (6-6, 0-1 Pac-12) with 13 points, but it wasn't enough as California extended its winning streak over their conference rival to nine consecutive games. Lindsay Gottlieb improves to 6-0 against the Utes in her Cal tenure.

A cold-shooting first half for both teams saw the Bears claim a 26-18 lead going into the break, the least amount of points that Cal has allowed in a single half this season. After hitting juts 29 percent of their shots in the first half, California explosed in the second half by hitting 16 of 28 field goals to run away with the 67-49 win.

Included in that 16 of 28 second-half effort was Davidson who went 6-of-6 in the second half, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in the final 20 minute span.

"I've talked a lot with Penina and her work ethic is superb, her skill set is really good and it's a transition," Gottlieb said. "The college game is faster, it's different and she's so far from home, so I have believed the whole time that things are going to click."

Senior Reshanda Gray added nine points and eight rebounds for the Golden Bears.

For the game, Cal connected on 42 percent (25-59) of its shots, including 41 percent (7-17) from long range and 63 percent (10-16) from the charity stripe. Utah shot 35 percent (18-51) from the field, 26 percent (5-19) from beyond the arc and 73 percent (8-11) from the free-throw line.

The Bears won the rebounding battle, 40-29, and enjoyed a 13-6 advantage in second chance points.

Cal closes a three-game homestand on Monday, Jan. 5, when it faces Colorado. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m., and will be broadcast live on Pac-12 Networks.