BERKELEY – The California women's basketball team will open conference play hosting No. 9 Stanford in the 100th all-time edition of the Battle of the Bay between the two programs on Friday at 2 p.m. in Haas Pavilion. The Cardinal own a 78-21 series lead and a nine-game winning streak. The last win against the Cardinal came on Jan. 31, 2019 in a 81-80 victory at Haas Pavilion.
 
Fans in attendance will receive a special commemorative shirt and every 100th fan to enter Haas Pavilion will get a special gift bag to honor the occasion.
 
The two teams last played on Jan. 8, 2023 when Cal nearly pulled off the upset against Stanford, who was ranked No. 2 at the time. The Bears had a 3-point lead with four minutes remaining before narrowly losing 60-56. Stanford needed every stop as Leilani McIntosh matched Cameron Brink basket for basket as the clock ticked down. The Bears were led by McIntosh who had 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Cal held the Cardinal to its lowest shooting (32.3) and 3-point percentages (20.0) of the season up until that point while also limiting them to a season-low scoring output.
 
Friday's game will air on Pac-12 Network with Ann Schatz and Mary Murphy on the call.  
 
GAME INFORMATION
Date & Time: Friday, Dec. 29 | 2 p.m. PT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network
 
QUICK HITS

• In the 79-55 win over Louisiana-Monroe (Dec. 21):
  • Lulu Twidale scored a career-high 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting and added three steals.
  • McKayla Williams had a great all-around game with eight points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two blocks.
  • Leilani McIntosh tied the game high with seven assists and added 11 points, while Marta Suárez chipped in with 12 points.
  • In just her second game back from injury, Claudia Langarita added eight points.
  • The Bears held the Warhawks to their second-lowest scoring total of the season and season lows of just two 3-pointers and 9.5% shooting from deep.
  • Cal dominated the boards with season highs of 24 offensive and 54 total rebounds compared to just nine and 32 respectively for ULM.
• At 10-2, Cal is off to its best start since 2018-19 when it started 8-0.
• McKayla Williams has been one of the most active players on the glass for the Bears this season. Her 7.4 rebounds per game average leads the team and ranks first among all guards in the Pac-12 and ninth overall.
• Suárez's versatility at the forward position has been on display all year as her 21 made 3-pointers rank second in the Pac-12 and 16th in the country among all forwards.
• McIntosh is on pace to average her most assists per game for a season. Her 6.8 assists per game rank second in the Pac-12 and ninth in the country. She is eight assists from passing Mikayla Cowling and Natasha Vital for the fifth spot on Cal's all-time career assists list.
• McIntosh is the only player in the nation to average at least 12 PPG, 6.5 APG, 2.0 steals and 42.0 3FG%.
• Twidale has emerged as one of the team's top 3-point shooters. She has now hit multiple 3-pointers in seven of the last eight games and is averaging 12.0 points per game over that span. Her 21 3-pointers are tied for the team lead and rank second in the Pac-12 and 26th in the country among all freshmen.
• Four or more different players scored in double figures in six games this season, a significant improvement from last season when four players scored in double figures just four times all season.
• After scoring just 15 total points over the first seven games of the season, Ila Lane is averaging 9.4 points per contest over her last five.
• The Bears have had 10 or more steals in five games already this season, beating their total (2) from all of last year.
• Through the first 12 games of the season, the Bears have hit 10 or more 3-pointers in five games, surpassing last year's total in which they hit double-figure 3-pointers in just one game.
• Cal is only one of two teams in the Pac-12 to have three different players average at least seven rebounds per game.
• Pac-12 Leaders as of Dec. 22
  • Assists per game - McIntosh, 2nd (6.8)
  • Steals per game - McIntosh, 7th (2.2)
  • 3PM percentage - McIntosh, 14th (42.9)
  • Rebounds per game - Williams, 9th (7.4), Onyiah, 12th (7.2)
  • Scoring - Suarez, 15th (14.3)
  • Blocks per game - Onyiah, 16th (1.2)
  • Cal 3PM, 2nd (101)
• McIntosh and guard Kemery Martín received 2023-24 Pac-12 preseason All-Conference honorable mention.

 
NEXT UP
Cal wraps up its 10-game homestand hosting Washington on Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. and Washington State on Jan. 7 at noon.
 
STAY POSTED
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