Cal Women’s Basketball: Bears Suffer First Loss

Cal’s cold shooting in the fourth quarter leads to home loss to Texas A&M

Cal's women's basketball team suffered its first defeat of the season as a disastrous fourth quarter led to a 65-51 loss to Texas A&M at Haas Pavilion Saturday afternoon.

The Bears (6-1) held a two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter of the title game of the Raising the B.A.R Invitational, but they missed their first nine shots of the final period and went 1-for-16 from the field, including 0-for-8 from the 3-point line, in the fourth quarter.

Texas A&M (5-1) outscored Cal 12-1 to start the final quarter to take command of the game. 

The Aggies, who were picked to finish sixth in the Southeastern Conference in the coaches preseason poll and eighth in the media poll, shot just 39.7% from the field for the game. However, Cal was considerably worse. The Bears shot 25% for the game, including 16.1% in the second half and 6.3% in the fourth quarter.

Marta Suarez and Kemery Martin led Cal with 12 points apiece, but Suarez was just 4-for-16 from the field and Martin was 4-for-18.

Cal outrebounded the Aggies 48-42, and the Bears had 22 offensive rebounds, leading to 18 second-chance points. But they could not overcome their poor shooting when it mattered most.

The Bears attempted 31 shots from beyond the 3-point line, but made just eight of them.  They were 3-for-15 from distance after halftime.

Leilani McIntosh had eight assists and five rebounds, but she was 0-for-4 from the field and committed four turnovers.

Cover photo of Leilani McIntosh directing the offense

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