Berkeley, Calif.----- San Jose State University had its best shooting night of the season from the field and a career scoring high from center Oumar Barry, but the University of California used an early second-half burst for an 88-80 non-conference men's basketball win.
The Spartans (3-7) converted 55.8 percent of their field goal tries, the third time this season San Jose State shot better than 50 percent from the field in a game this season. The eight-point loss was the second close call with a Pac-12 Conference opponent in the last four nights. San Jose State lost at Stanford, 78-73, on December 18.
Barry shared team-high scoring honors with guard Noah Baumann with 18 points. It was Barry's second career scoring high in the last three games and fifth consecutive double-figure scoring effort after scoring just 29 points in the first six games.
Forward Michael Steadman posted his second straight double-double and fifth of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Brae Ivey was a fourth double-figure scorer for San Jose State with 13 points and four assists.
The Spartans overcame an early eight-point deficit at the start of the game and eventually took a 32-30 advantage into the locker room at halftime despite committing 10 of their 15 turnovers in the first 20 minutes. Barry had 12 of his points in the first half as San Jose State repeatedly was able to get the ball inside to he and Steadman.
Cal (5-6) overcame 36 percent field goal shooting in the first half with a 9-0 surge at the start of the second half for a 39-32 lead. The Golden Bears were able to extend their lead to as many as 14 points on four occasions before the 10:00 mark and was ahead 82-67 with 3:55 to go.
Despite Barry on the bench after fouling out at 4:46 on the clock, the Spartans did not fold. Freshman Seneca Knight, making his first start in eight games, sparked an 11-2 run with back-to-back baskets, first with a three-pointer and then with a drive to the hoop giving San Jose State hope, 84-80, with 1:04 remaining. Knight finished with seven points.
Four free throws by Cal guard Paris Austin in the final 36 seconds closed out the scoring.
Guard Darius McNeill led all players in scoring with a season scoring high 22. Andre Kelly added a career-high 21 and pulled down 10 rebounds. After a poor first half shooting, Cal shot 57 percent from the field and made 7-of-13 from three-point range in the second half.
San Jose State returns to action Saturday, December 30, at Saint Mary's in its final non-conference game.
