The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
52°F
Current Conditions
Broken clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Randle, defense lead Cal

California’s Omondi Amoke, left, and UCLA’s Reeves Nelson stretch for a rebound in the first half of their Pac-10 semifinal Friday night. (Associated Press)
Beth Harris Associated Press

LOS ANGELES – California came out rushing against a UCLA team eager to keep its slim NCAA tournament hopes alive. Once the Golden Bears settled down, the Bruins were quickly sent packing for the season.

Jerome Randle scored 24 points and Theo Robertson had 15 of his 20 in the second half when Cal dominated on its way to an 85-72 victory Friday night in the Pac-10 tournament semifinals at the Staples Center.

“In the second half, we threw the first punch,” Randle said. “We were able to sustain the lead.”

The top-seeded Golden Bears (23-9) advanced to today’s title game, where they’ll play No. 3 Washington.

Patrick Christopher added 16 points for the Bears, seeking their first conference tournament title to go with their first outright regular-season championship in 50 years.

Michael Roll scored a career-high 27 points in his final game for fifth-seeded UCLA (14-18), which ended the season with its worst record since 2003-04, coach Ben Howland’s first in Westwood.

“To have a losing record is very, very disappointing with the success we’ve enjoyed the previous five seasons,” said Howland, whose tenure includes three consecutive Final Four appearances. “The key to it all is recruiting. We have three players that are coming in, and I’m going out to recruit at least a couple more. That’s the key.”

Jerime Anderson added 15 points. Freshman Reeves Nelson, who powered UCLA to a quarterfinal upset of Arizona, finished with eight points.

“I don’t care about the career high or anything like that,” Roll said. “It’s just unfortunate that we lost and I’m done.”

Cal made 13 of 14 free throws over the final 5:13, with Randle hitting all six of his attempts.

Randle, the Pac-10 player of the year, surpassed 2001 player of the year Sean Lampley as Cal’s career scoring leader with 1,790 points.

“Sean can stop biting his nails,” Randle said. “He’s been calling me and asking when I’m going to do it and I said, ‘Be patient.’ ”

The Bears’ defense kept UCLA scoreless on its first three possessions the second half while taking their first lead at 40-39.