The University of California’s women’s basketball team suffered a setback on January 7, 2024, losing 71-60 to North Carolina State in Raleigh, North Carolina. This defeat marked Cal’s third consecutive loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), leaving them with an overall record of 9-7 and a disappointing 0-3 in conference play.
Cal’s struggles are compounded by their recent performance, having lost four of their last five games. The Bears have yet to secure a victory in true road games this season, dropping to 0-3 away from their home court. In contrast, North Carolina State improved to 11-4 overall and maintained an impressive 4-0 record in the ACC. The Wolf Pack extended their winning streak to six games, with each of their previous three conference victories coming by at least 26 points.
The absence of starting freshman point guard Puff Morris, who was sidelined due to a lower-leg injury, heavily impacted Cal’s performance. Morris’s absence was particularly felt as the Bears committed 20 turnovers compared to just six by the Wolf Pack. Despite shooting percentages being relatively close—Cal at 43.6% and North Carolina State at 44.4%—the turnover differential ultimately decided the game.
Cal managed to dominate the boards, outrebounding the Wolf Pack 42-28. Lulu Twiade led Cal’s scoring with 16 points, albeit on a challenging 5-for-17 shooting performance. Freshman Taylor Barnes contributed with 15 points and 11 rebounds. However, the standout for Cal was Naya Ojukwu, who showcased an impressive offensive display with 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting in just 20 minutes off the bench. Ojukwu’s scoring prowess briefly gave Cal a 44-41 lead late in the third quarter.
Unfortunately for the Bears, the 6-foot-3 Khamil Pierre from North Carolina State proved too formidable for Cal’s defense, especially with 6-foot-5 center Sakima Walker on the bench. Pierre scored eight consecutive points for the Wolf Pack during a decisive 11-0 run, turning a tied game into a commanding 56-45 lead as they entered the fourth quarter.
The Wolf Pack continued to build on their lead, stretching it to 14 points early in the final period. Cal fought back, narrowing the gap to six points with just over three minutes remaining, but could not close the distance further. Mjracle Sheppard, filling in for Morris as the primary ballhandler, struggled significantly, finishing the game without any points and committing four turnovers.
In the first half, Cal shot 51.7% but still trailed 37-36 at halftime, largely due to their turnover issues. The Bears had 11 turnovers in the first half, while North Carolina State had only two. Cal momentarily led 27-24 early in the second quarter, but North Carolina State responded with an 11-0 run to gain an eight-point advantage. Cal managed to score the final seven points of the half, closing the gap to just one point.
Looking ahead, Cal is set to play its first two home conference games next week at Haas Pavilion, where they remain undefeated this season with an 8-0 record. They will host Duke on January 11, 2024, at 15:00, and Wake Forest on January 14, 2024, at 14:00.
In terms of betting odds, Cal entered this matchup as a 16.5-point underdog according to DraftKings. While North Carolina State is not currently ranked in the AP top 25, their recent performances suggest they may soon find themselves on the list.
