In a wild college basketball matchup, Dai Dai Ames powered the California Golden Bears to a convincing 74-56 win over the Columbia Lions. Ames dropped 21 points and honestly, he was the difference-maker all night.
John Camden chipped in 15 points, while Chris Bell added 12. Lee Dort was a force on the glass, grabbing 14 rebounds and giving Cal extra chances.
With this win, Cal improves to 12-1. Columbia slips to 9-3. You could feel Cal’s momentum early and it never really let up.
If you want the full rundown, check out the article here.
Cal’s Dominant First Half
The Golden Bears came out firing, putting together a 13-0 run in the opening half. That stretch pretty much set the tone and put Cal up 28-16 at the break.
Shooting was rough for both squads in the first 20 minutes. Columbia actually shot a hair better at 25.9% compared to Cal’s 25%, but it didn’t feel like it mattered with Cal’s defense swarming.
Key Performances in the First Half
Dai Dai Ames was everywhere early, scoring 12 in the first half alone. He kept attacking the rim and hit some tough buckets when Cal needed them.
On the other end, Cal’s defense just wouldn’t let Columbia settle in or get comfortable.
Second Half Surge
Things picked up after halftime. Both teams started finding the bottom of the net a lot more.
Cal shot a scorching 64% from the field, while Columbia wasn’t far behind at 57%. Even so, Columbia couldn’t quite close the gap.
Maintaining the Lead
Ames stayed hot, pouring in seven more points in the final four minutes. He just wouldn’t let Columbia get any closer.
Both teams finished at 42% shooting for the game, but Cal’s defense and smarter plays really made the difference.
Notable Contributions
It wasn’t just Ames carrying the load. A few other Bears stepped up in a big way:
- John Camden: 15 points. He hit some timely shots and kept the offense rolling.
- Chris Bell: 12 points. Bell found ways to score when it counted and brought some energy.
- Lee Dort: 14 rebounds. Dort was a beast on the boards, giving Cal a bunch of extra looks and keeping Columbia off balance.
Columbia’s Efforts
Columbia didn’t just roll over. Connor Igoe led them with 16 points, and Mason Ritter added 10.
But in the end, it just wasn’t enough to keep up with Cal’s pace and pressure.
Looking Ahead
Next up, Cal faces a real test as they host No. 11 Louisville on December 30. That one’s going to be a big measuring stick—can they keep this run going?
Columbia’s Next Match
Columbia gets a shot at redemption when they visit North Florida on Sunday. We’ll see if they can bounce back and find their groove again.
Final Thoughts
The California Golden Bears’ win over Columbia really showed off their skill and grit. Dai Dai Ames had an outstanding game.
His teammates stepped up, too, making sure Cal kept their strong record alive. Now, with the Louisville matchup on the horizon, there’s a sense of anticipation in the air.
If you want more updates or just can’t get enough college basketball, check out the latest news here.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
