Cal Men's Basketball Falls to Cornell 88-80

The California Golden Bears suffered an 88-80 defeat against Cornell, despite erasing a 23-point second-half deficit. After trailing 52-29, Cal surged ahead to a 72-71 lead, but Cornell regained control, led by Guy Ragland Jr.'s key 3-pointer. This loss marks Cal's third consecutive defeat, dropping their record to 6-4 after a promising 6-1 start. Cornell's effective shooting percentage of 57.4% proved challenging for Cal, whose defense has been under scrutiny due to a poor defensive record, ranking 300th nationally. Coach Mark Madsen noted the unique offensive challenge posed by Cornell, which may have caught Cal unprepared early in the game. The Bears will look to regroup in their next matchup against Northwestern State on Saturday.