A 15-point, career-high scoring effort from freshman Cailyn Crocker helped the red-hot Cal women’s basketball team secure the 2019 Cal Classic title over Long Beach State 68-45 on Saturday.
The Bears are on an impressive five-game winning streak after dropping their first two games of the season to Harvard and UConn. Few games have been close in this period, as Cal has ramped up the offensive efficiency and intensity as the season has progressed.
Senior top-scorer Jaylen Brown has fit into her leadership role quite nicely, dropping 20 points in the Bears’ dominant 90-69 semifinal victory against North Carolina Central.
Her eight-point, three-assist and three-rebound performance against Long Beach State was enough to tilt the Bears into the champions circle, earning Brown the title of Cal Classic MVP. Three different Bears reached double figures, including sophomore Alaysia Styles and freshman Jazlen Green, who both notched 12 points in the closer.
Cal hopes to extend its good fortune for as long as possible before reaching Pac-12 play, as Boston University, Santa Clara and No. 13 Kentucky wait in the wings.
