Justin Pippen nailed a go-ahead 20-footer with 1:05 remaining, then capped a 24-point performance with four lead-protecting free throws in the final 18 seconds, allowing Cal to win a 20th game for the first time in nine years with a 73-69 victory over SMU on Wednesday night in Berkeley, Calif.
After watching a late six-point lead turn into a one-point deficit thanks to two 3-pointers and a free throw by SMU’s Corey Washington, Cal was down by three inside of 2:00 before John Camden hit two free throws at the 1:39 mark.
After Jaron Pierre Jr. misfired on a 3-point attempt for the Mustangs, the Golden Bears (20-8, 8-7 ACC) took the lead for good when Pippen, who had been just 7-for-18, drilled his perimeter jumper.
Pippen’s subsequent free throws allowed Cal to win a third straight game and move into a tie with SMU (19-9, 8-7) for eighth place in the ACC.
Cal led 38-33 at the half and by as many as seven early in the second period before the teams exchanged leads six times.
Pippen finished 2-for-10 on 3-pointers for the Golden Bears, who won despite getting outshot 45.5% to 40.0% overall and 38.1% to 28.1% from beyond the arc. The point guard also found time for a game-high five assists, four rebounds, three steals and a block.
Chris Bell drilled four 3-pointers in eight tries on a 20-point night for Cal, Camden chipped in with 14 points and Lee Dort, returning from a seven-game absence, came off the bench to grab a game-high 10 rebounds.
Seeking a 20th win for a third consecutive season, SMU was led by the 15-point efforts of Washington and Boopie Miller. Washington used three 3-pointers as a foundation for his total, while Pierre added 14 points and Samet Yigitoglu 11 to go with eight rebounds.
Washington was the Mustangs’ leading rebounder with nine. SMU also outrebounded the hosts 44-33, but fell victim to 14 turnovers and poor foul shooting, going just 11-for-26. Yigitoglu made just one of his six foul shots.
