Wednesday, November 11
Berkeley, Calif.
8 p.m. PT
California
2-2,0-0ACC
65
vs
77
USC
3-0,0-0Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California | 39 | 38 | 77 |
| California | 30 | 35 | 65 |
Nojus Indrusaitis scored 13 points for the Bears vs. USC.
Photo by: Brianna Ali/Cal Athletics
11/11/2026 11:38 PM | Men's Basketball
Bears Faced Their Second Straight Ranked Opponent Of Season.
BERKELEY — The California men's basketball team were within three points of visiting No. 21 USC during the second half before the Trojans created space and captured a 77-65 win over the Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Cal goes to 2-2 with the loss — its second to a ranked opponent this season — and USC is now 3-0.
Cal led for the first 12 minutes of action before the Trojans edged ahead and finished out the half on a 6-0 run to go up 39-30 at halftime. USC was shooting 38.9 percent from the floor to that point, ahead of Cal's 33.3 percent effort, and the Trojans were ahead on the boards 28-18. USC picked up its production in the next stretch, finishing out the game shooting 40.6 percent overall with six 3-pointers landed and a 53-36 final rebounding advantage. Cal wrapped up shooting 34.8 overall with four 3-pointers made.
Cal had two players finish in double figures, with Sammie Yeanay at 14 points and Nojus Indrusaitis with 13. USC had four players in double digits, including a double-double from Jacob Cofie with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Alijah Arena had a game-high 19 points, while Rodney Rice added 18 and KJ Lewis scored 16 for the Trojans.
Cal opened up an early 9-2 lead with a 7-0 rally sparked by a 3-pointer from Sammie Yeanay. The Trojans got the margin to one at 11:40, only to see Michael Cooper bury a Bear three for a boost to a 16-12 advantage. USC pushed back and tied it up twice before a three-point play at 8:06 had the Trojans with their first lead of the game, up 21-20. Cal kept USC in reach and cut a 32-26 deficit down to 32-30 with a bucket from Michael Cooper and a steal and slam from Yeanay. The Trojans would score the last six points of the half, however, and Cal was in a 39-30 hole at halftime.
USC maneuvered to a double-digit lead at 12:40 in the second, but Cal reeled the Trojans back in, carving it to a three-point game at 8:45 on a 3-pointer from Nojus Indrusaitis. Yeanay had the Bears within four on a bucket with 6:40 to go, but the foul count was not in Cal's favor, and USC made another rally to lead it 69-59 entering the final five minutes of play. Cal could get no closer than eight points away the rest of the way, and USC secured the 77-65 win.
NEXT:
Cal remains on home turf for a 2 p.m. matchup against Utah Tech on Saturday at Haas Pavilion.
CALIFORNIA THROUGH AND THROUGH
"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.
No. 1 PUBLIC INSTITUTION
Four independent rankings measured outcomes, academics, research and innovation, and each put UC Berkeley first. Consensus across rankings tells one clear, memorable story, nationally and globally — multiple rankings, one verdict: UC Berkeley is on top. Go Bears!
GET TICKETS
Tickets for 2026-27 can be purchased by visiting CalBears.com/Tickets, calling 800-GO-BEARS (462-3277) or emailing goldstandard@berkeley.edu.
SUPPORT THE BEARS
Fans can support the Golden Bears through the Cal Men's Basketball Excellence Initiative.
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal men's basketball, follow the Bears on X (@CalMBBall), Instagram (@CalMBBball) and Facebook (/CalMBBall/).
Cal led for the first 12 minutes of action before the Trojans edged ahead and finished out the half on a 6-0 run to go up 39-30 at halftime. USC was shooting 38.9 percent from the floor to that point, ahead of Cal's 33.3 percent effort, and the Trojans were ahead on the boards 28-18. USC picked up its production in the next stretch, finishing out the game shooting 40.6 percent overall with six 3-pointers landed and a 53-36 final rebounding advantage. Cal wrapped up shooting 34.8 overall with four 3-pointers made.
Cal had two players finish in double figures, with Sammie Yeanay at 14 points and Nojus Indrusaitis with 13. USC had four players in double digits, including a double-double from Jacob Cofie with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Alijah Arena had a game-high 19 points, while Rodney Rice added 18 and KJ Lewis scored 16 for the Trojans.
Cal opened up an early 9-2 lead with a 7-0 rally sparked by a 3-pointer from Sammie Yeanay. The Trojans got the margin to one at 11:40, only to see Michael Cooper bury a Bear three for a boost to a 16-12 advantage. USC pushed back and tied it up twice before a three-point play at 8:06 had the Trojans with their first lead of the game, up 21-20. Cal kept USC in reach and cut a 32-26 deficit down to 32-30 with a bucket from Michael Cooper and a steal and slam from Yeanay. The Trojans would score the last six points of the half, however, and Cal was in a 39-30 hole at halftime.
USC maneuvered to a double-digit lead at 12:40 in the second, but Cal reeled the Trojans back in, carving it to a three-point game at 8:45 on a 3-pointer from Nojus Indrusaitis. Yeanay had the Bears within four on a bucket with 6:40 to go, but the foul count was not in Cal's favor, and USC made another rally to lead it 69-59 entering the final five minutes of play. Cal could get no closer than eight points away the rest of the way, and USC secured the 77-65 win.
NEXT:
Cal remains on home turf for a 2 p.m. matchup against Utah Tech on Saturday at Haas Pavilion.
CALIFORNIA THROUGH AND THROUGH
"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.
No. 1 PUBLIC INSTITUTION
Four independent rankings measured outcomes, academics, research and innovation, and each put UC Berkeley first. Consensus across rankings tells one clear, memorable story, nationally and globally — multiple rankings, one verdict: UC Berkeley is on top. Go Bears!
GET TICKETS
Tickets for 2026-27 can be purchased by visiting CalBears.com/Tickets, calling 800-GO-BEARS (462-3277) or emailing goldstandard@berkeley.edu.
SUPPORT THE BEARS
Fans can support the Golden Bears through the Cal Men's Basketball Excellence Initiative.
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal men's basketball, follow the Bears on X (@CalMBBall), Instagram (@CalMBBball) and Facebook (/CalMBBall/).
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballTeam Stats
USC
Cal
FG%
.406
.348
3FG%
.286
.174
FT%
.760
.714
RB
53
36
TO
12
7
STL
3
7
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Thursday, November 12
Thursday, November 05
Tuesday, November 03
Friday, October 30
