BERKELEY -- The California men's basketball team fell behind early and was unable to get out in front down the stretch, taking a 72-56 loss to visiting Pitt today at Haas Pavilion. The Golden Bears had uncharacteristic offensive struggles as well as trouble taking care of the ball en route to the loss, which puts Cal at 20-9 overall and 8-8 in ACC play. Pitt is now 11-18, 4-12 with the road win.

Cal committed 12 first-half turnovers to feed the Panthers' push to a 34-26 halftime lead. The Bears were shooting 47.8 percent from the floor, ahead of Pitt's 44.4 percent, but they never led in those first 20 minutes of play. Cal couldn't reel in the Panthers in the second half either, with the Bears' shooting output dipping on all fronts. Cal finished up at 42.6 percent overall and was 5-of-22 from 3-point range. Pitt wrapped at 46.4 percent overall, going 7-of-21 from beyond the arc and 13-of-16 from the free-throw line. Cal made and shot a season-low 5-of-7 free throws on the day. Pitt also won the rebounding battle 34-29.

Cal received 11 points from Dai Dai Ames and 10 from Lee Dort in the loss. Pitt had four players hit double figures, led by 16 points apiece from Cameron Corhen and Nojus Indrusaitis along with 15 from Barry Dunning Jr. and 13 from Damarco Minor. Dunning Jr. also pulled in 12 rebounds for the Panthers.

Cal was forced to play catchup in the first frame after Pitt opened up with a 5-0 lead. DeJuan Campbell scored eight straight points for the Bears, and Milos Ilic struck down low to make it a two-point game with 6:20 on the clock. The Panthers pushed back with a 3-pointer and a successful trip to the free-throw line to go up 24-17 entering the final five minutes of the half. Cal carved the deficit down to three on a nice play from Dai Dai Ames, only to see Pitt score the final five points to lead it 34-26 for halftime.

The Bears fell behind by 11 on a quick Pitt 3-pointer out of the gates. Cal crafted a 6-0 rally later on scores from Ilic and Camden to make it 45-42 with 13:05 on the clock. Later, though, Cal hit a cold patch, going scoreless for five minutes while the Panthers pushed out to a 54-44 advantage with 6:45 to go. Ames broke the silence for Cal at 6:30 and would convert a three-point play later to make it a 58-51 margin with 4:06 remaining. The Bears just couldn't find the buckets they needed while Pitt was still hitting big shots at the other end to keep on track to the win, finishing with a 72-56 victory over Cal.

NEXT: Cal sets off on an extended road trip next, wrapping ACC regular-season action with visits to Georgia Tech and Wake Forest. The Bears take on the Yellow Jackets on March 4 before a March 7 game against the Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem, N.C. From there, Cal will head to Charlotte, N.C., to set up for competition at the ACC Tournament, which runs March 10-14.

NOTABLE:
- With 11 points, Dai Dai Ames scored in double digits for the 25th time this season.
- Cal's 5-of-7 free throw outing today marked the fewest free throws made and attempted in a game this season.
- Cal's 56 points was one off its season low of 55 scored against Clemson.
- Cal's 16 turnovers was one fewer than its season high of 17 committed at Kansas State. 
- This was the first time this season that only two Bears scored in double figures.

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"California Through and Through" is more than a slogan – it's a statement of identity, pride and our trajectory as Cal Men's Basketball. Just like our state, our program is engaging, diverse and inspiring. We have a rich history and legacy, and we have a bright future. Being California Through and Through means we celebrate our community and our place within it.