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Golden Nuggets: Mathews Continues Hot Streak In Win Over Buffs

Jordan Mathews continued his hot shooting, and the Bears shut the Buffs down defensively, to open Pac-12 play with a win.

Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

2016 Olympics

Golden Bears Gear Up For 2016 Olympics: Summer Games Take Place Aug. 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The calendar turned to a new year Friday, but not just any new year.

The onset of 2016 means it's an Olympic year, which also means there should be plenty of buzz among Cal student-athletes - both current and former. The 2016 Summer Games are set for Aug. 5-21 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and as usual the Golden Bears should be well-represented.

From aquatics to rowing to rugby and beyond, California student-athletes should once again make an impact on the biggest stage in sports. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, the Golden Bears took home 17 medals, 11 of which were gold. If Cal was its own country, it would have finished in a tie for sixth for number of gold medals earned.

Women's Basketball

No. 19 Cal Comes Up Short in Pac-12 Opener: The Golden Bears Fall to No. 17 Arizona State, 57-49

Cal's 26 turnovers proved to be costly as No. 17 Arizona State capitalized for 20 points to defeat the No. 19 Golden Bears, 57-49, in the Pac-12 opener at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Ariz. The Sun Devils (10-3, 1-0 Pac-12) handed the Bears (9-3, 0-1 Pac-12) their third loss of the season.

Men's Basketball

Bears Open Pac-12 Play With Thorough Win: Mathews Continues Hot Shooting In 79-65 Victory Over Colorado

BERKELEY - Junior Jordan Mathews continued his torrid shooting streak and the Cal men's basketball team clamped down defensively on yet another opponent as the Golden Bears opened Pac-12 Conference play with an impressive 79-65 victory over Colorado at Haas Pavilion on Friday night.

Cal (11-3, 1-0 Pac-12) held the Buffaloes to 32 percent shooting from the field. The Bears, who lead the Pac-12 in field goal percentage defense, have held their past six opponents to combined 34 percent shooting from the floor.

Colorado missed its first nine shots from the field as the Bears opened up a 10-0 lead. The Buffs finally got on the scoreboard when Josh Scott made a pair of free throws with 13:49 left in the first half. Colorado's first field goal didn't come until 11:53 remained before halftime.

Cal led by 18 at one point in the first half despite starting forward Ivan Raab playing just four minutes due to foul trouble and Mathews and Jabari Bird combining to go 1-for-8 from the floor.

"If we defend, it doesn't matter who is on the floor," Cal coach Cuonzo Martin. "We have some guys who are good basketball players and some score better than others. But if we defend at a high level, it doesn't matter who is on the floor. If they are struggling to get a shot off or even a pass every time down the floor, then you've done your job."