BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California's first-half defense set the Golden Bears back for a 71-63 loss to Harvard Sunday afternoon in Haas Pavilion.
The Bears outscored the Crimson 39-37 in the second half, but the effort wasn't enough to overcome a 34-24 halftime deficit. Matt Bradley scored 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting for the Golden Bears, and Kareem South (13 points) and Grant Anticevich (12 points) also finished in double figures.
Harvard's Chris Lewis had 19 points and a career-high four blocked shots. Christian Juzang added 14 points including five free throws in the final four minutes to help the Crimson (9-4) to their fourth consecutive win and second straight over California.
Lewis made all seven of his shots and had an emphatic two-handed dunk late in the second half while anchoring Harvard's offense, but it was the Crimson's defense that made the difference for coach Tommy Amaker's team. Harvard set a season-high with 11 blocks and held California to 35 % shooting.
Lewis had six points in the first seven minutes to get Harvard out to an early lead. Robert Baker and Justin Bassey added 3-pointers, and Mason Forbes added a pair of free throws to put the Crimson ahead 31-18.
UP NEXT
California: The Golden Bears begin their Pac-12 schedule at Stanford on Thursday. The Bears have won their last two games at Maples Pavilion.