Cal Men's Basketball Opens Season with Win

The California men's basketball team kicked off its 2024-25 season with an 86-73 victory over CSU Bakersfield, marking the first win under second-year coach Mark Madsen. The game featured strong performances from newcomers, particularly Jovan Blacksher Jr. with 17 points and Andrej Stojaković contributing 16 points. Despite the win, the Bears struggled with turnovers, committing 11, and had issues with rebounding against Bakersfield. Meanwhile, the women’s team dominated their opener, defeating Saint Mary’s 90-58, led by sophomore Lulu Twidale's 24 points and a strong team effort that featured notable contributions from Marta Suarez and Ioanna Krimili. Both teams displayed promise for the season ahead, with the men's team relying heavily on its new transfers and the women's team showcasing depth and scoring ability. The Bears will have a challenging schedule ahead, with their next men's game against Cal Poly, while the women's team aims to build on their strong start.