MBB Insta Recap: Cal loses to ASU 80-66

In the first half, Cal’s zone defense in the first half disturbed the Sun Devils immensely, as early they struggled to knock down shots from the perimeter, shooting 26% from behind the three. Offensively, the Bears were stagnant and lacked fluidit., In another game without Paris Austin (injury), Matt Bradley stepped up for the Bears, leading all Cal scorers with 9 points in the first half. Cal led for nearly all of the first half, with their largest lead being 14 points. ASU pulled it together and brought Cal’s lead down to two points at the half, Remy Martin scoring a game-high 12 points for the Sun Devils.

The Bears lost all composure in the second half, while the Sun Devils heated up. Cal was flat, lacked offensive production, and lost pride on defense. Cal’s tried to amp up their pressure on defense, but the Sun Devils thought nothing of it and played a complete second half. The Golden Bears did not look like the same team in the second half. Cal had a period in the second half where they missed nine straight shots, while ASU went on an 8-0 in a little over a minute. While Cal’s main players struggled to produce, Remy Martin exploded for the Sun Devils, scoring 12 points in the second half, bringing his total to 24 points on the night. Like UCLA, this was a game where the Bears fell flat once again in the second half, costing them a chance at winning the game.