WACO, Texas – Another successful Cal women's basketball season came to an end Monday night, as the ninth-seeded Bears fell to No. 1 Baylor 86-46 at the Ferrell Center in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Cal finished the 2016-17 campaign with a record of 20-14, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in the past six years and advancing to the second round in its seventh straight tournament appearance.

"I'm really proud of our team," Cal coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. "I think it was a huge step for us to get here, and not just to prove to people that we belonged in the tournament, but more taking a look forward. I think this is a group that can do some special things, and we needed this experience."

Sophomore star Kristine Anigwe finished the season strongly, registering her 16^th double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds. It marked the 12^th time this season she has had at least 20 points and 10 boards in a game – tied for the most by any player in the country this season.

"I wish I was celebrating going to the Sweet 16, but you don't always get what you want," Anigwe said. "And so I personally am just going to work really hard and take my team there next year. I'm just going to work really hard not to feel this way ever again."

The Bears played right with Baylor during the game's opening moments, getting six early points from Anigwe and leading 7-6 less than three minutes into the game. But Baylor went on a 9-0 run to move out in front. Still, Cal trailed just 17-12 at the end of the first quarter after a 3-pointer by Mikayla Cowling.

Another jumper by Anigwe kept the Bears within 22-16 less than two minutes into the second quarter, but Baylor went on a 13-0 run to set the tone for the remainder of the game.

The game marked the end of the careers of seniors Courtney Range and K.C. Waters. Range finished with eight points and five rebounds in 23 minutes.

"We will definitely miss Courtney, but we have the majority of our team coming back," Gottlieb said. "We have some great kids coming in, and my challenge to them is let's just not be better next year by default. I want to be better because we've seen the bar and we want to get to the top."