BERKELEY (AP) – Jeremiah Wilkinson scored 18 points in his first career start, Mady Sissoko and Rytis Petraitis had double-doubles and the California men's basketball team defeated Florida State 77-68 on Wednesday night in Haas Pavilion.
Â
Sissoko had 14 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high five blocks while Petraitis added 12 points and 13 rebounds – eight on the offensive glass – and four assists for Cal (10-9, 3-5 ACC), which won its second straight conference contest following a road win at NC State last Saturday. Joshua Ola-Joseph scored 14 points and DJ Campbell added 11 to give Cal five double-figure scorers for the second time in as many games.
Â
A dunk by Sissoko gave Cal a 69-59 lead with three minutes remaining before Daquan Davis and Jamir Watkins scored in the paint to get Florida State within six points with 1:20 remaining. The Golden Bears then closed out the win, going 8 for 8 from the free-throw line in the final 70 seconds.
Â
Earlier in the second half, a dunk by Jerry Deng gave the Seminoles a 51-49 lead with about 12 minutes remaining but the Seminoles were held to eight points in the next nine minutes, at one point missing 11 shots in a row. Cal scored 18 points during FSU's cold stretch and the Bears led 67-55 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.
Â
All five starters scored in the first seven minutes for the Bears and their 13-0 run gave them a lead of 15-6. Florida State eventually took a 29-27 lead with about four minutes left in the half before Cal finished with a 10-4 run and a 37-33 lead at the break.
Â
The Bears grabbed a season-high 47 rebounds including 24 on the offensive glass, the most by an ACC team this season.
Â
Watkins had 18 points, Malique Ewin 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Deng 11 points for FSU (13-6, 4-4).
Â
Cal was without leading scorer Andrej Stojakovic (18.9 PPG), who missed his first game of the season due to an illness.
Â
UP NEXT
The Bears host Miami on Saturday, tipping off at 5:30 p.m. PT in Haas Pavilion. ACC Network will broadcast the contest.
Â
SUPPORT THE BEARS
Tickets for the 2024-25 campaign can be purchased by visiting CalBears.com/Tickets, calling 800-GO-BEARS (462-3277) or emailing goldstandard@berkeley.edu. Fans can support the Golden Bears through the Cal Men's Basketball Excellence Initiative or the California Legends Collective.
Â
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal men's basketball, follow the Bears on X (@CalMBBall), Instagram (@CalMBBball) and Facebook (/CalMBBall/).
Â