LOS ANGELES - Jack Molloy completed a big California comeback when he knocked off Riley Smith in three sets to clinch a 4-3 Golden Bears victory over fifth-ranked USC on Saturday at Marks Tennis Stadium. Cal trailed 3-1 before Ben Draper on court six, Yuta Kikuchi on court three and finally Molloy on court four brought the Bears back.

Cal improved to 2-3 after the nonconference win. USC, which has now lost two straight dual matches after winning its first five, is 5-2.

Against the Trojans, the Bears won the doubles point for the fifth straight time this season, with the 17th-ranked pair of sophomores Paul Barretto and Can Kaya defeating Laurens Verboven and Jack Jaede, 7-6(5), on court two. Jack Molloy and Mert Zincirli also posted an upset of USC's 21st-ranked Daniel Cukierman and Tanner Smith, 6-3, on court three.
 
In singles, USC tied the overall match at 1-1 when Jake Sands topped Cal junior Bjorn Hoffmann on court five, 6-3, 6-2. The Trojans then took a 3-1 lead with wins on courts one and two.
 
But Draper started the climb back, upsetting USC's 50th-ranked Tanner Smith, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, and then Kikuchi knotted things at 3-3 with a 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-4 win over Jaede on court three, before Molloy settled the match with his 7-6(3), 6-7(6), 6-3 win over Riley Smith.
 
Saturday's win marked Cal's first over a ranked opponent, as Cal's challenging schedule has so far included four ranked teams, including No. 20 Florida State, No. 16 Virginia and No. 5 UCLA.
 
"We've been improving with every match," said Cal Director of Men's Tennis Peter Wright, "and even though we knew we had some close losses, we've been steadfast in our resolve that if we stick to our process that the results will follow. Today was truly a gutsy effort that started in doubles and carried through to singles.
 
"Ben, Yuta and Jack handled the pressure extremely well down the stretch. Winning in three sets in a hostile environment truly reflects the grit and determination of our team. It's great to see this team coming together and believing in themselves and believing in each other. Today's effort was all about team."
 
Cal next heads to Stockton, California, on Feb. 16, when the Bears will play UNLV at 11:30 a.m. and then face host Pacific at 2:30 p.m. The Tigers were originally going to host Cal in a Jan. 15 dual match, but it was postponed due to rain.

Cal (2-3) defeated No. 5 USC (5-2), 4-3
Feb. 9, 2019, in Los Angeles
Marks Tennis Stadium

DOUBLES
(1) Holt/R. Smith (USC) def. #8 Brumm/Kikuchi (Cal) - 6-4
(2) #17 P. Barretto/Kaya (Cal) def. Jaede/Verboven (USC) - 7-6(5)*
(3) Molloy/Zincirli (Cal) def. #21 Cukierman/T. Smith - 6-3

Cal wins doubles point
*Clinched the doubles point
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2

SINGLES
(1) #56 Brandon Holt (USC) def. Jacob Brumm (Cal) - 6-1, 6-3
(2) #4 Daniel Cukierman (USC) def. Paul Barretto (Cal) - 6-2, 6-3
(3) Yuta Kikuchi (Cal) def. Jack Jaede (USC) - 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-4
(4) Jack Molloy (Cal) def. Riley Smith (USC) - 7-6(3), 6-7(6), 6-3^
(5) Jake Sands (USC) def. Bjorn Hoffmann (Cal) - 6-3, 6-2
(6) Ben Draper (Cal) def. #50 Tanner Smith (USC) - 6-4, 2-6, 6-2

Order of Finish: 5, 1, 2, 6, 3, 4^
^Clinched the overall match