Full Breakdown
Cal Women's Basketball Misses ACC Tournament Bye After Loss to Clemson
2/27/2026, 12:26:21 PM
Game Overview: Clemson Defeats Cal 70-63
The California Golden Bears women's basketball team faced a critical setback in their quest for a first-round bye in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) tournament, suffering a 70-63 defeat to the Clemson Tigers on Thursday night at Haas Pavilion. The loss leaves Cal with a record of 17-13 and 8-9 in the ACC, placing them in a tie for 10th place with the University of Miami, while trailing five teams tied for fifth through ninth place at 11-6.
Implications for ACC Tournament
With only one game remaining in the regular season, the Bears find themselves two games behind the ninth-place teams, which are crucial for securing a bye in the upcoming ACC tournament set to begin Wednesday in Duluth, Georgia. The top nine teams in the 18-team conference earn byes, while the teams finishing 10th through 15th must compete in a first-round game, and the bottom three teams will not participate in the tournament.
Performance Highlights
In the game against Clemson, junior guard Lulu Twidale led Cal with 23 points, including five three-pointers, despite contributing to five of the team's 17 turnovers. The Bears' turnovers proved costly, as Clemson capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 24 points off turnovers. Gisella Maul added 18 points and eight rebounds, while the Bears shot 42 percent from three-point range but struggled with a 34 percent shooting rate from inside the arc.
Clemson's performance was bolstered by senior guard Mia Moore, who scored 21 points, along with Raven Thompson, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Rusne Augustinaite, who contributed 15 points. The Tigers maintained control throughout the game, never trailing after establishing an early 7-0 lead.
Key Statistics
- Cal's Shooting: 42% from three-point range (11 for 26), 34% from inside the arc (10 for 29).
- Turnovers: Cal committed 17 turnovers, while Clemson had 10.
- Clemson's Shooting: 60% in the first half (15 for 25).
Official Statements & Responses
Following the game, Cal's head coach emphasized the need for improvement, particularly in managing turnovers, which significantly impacted the game's outcome. The Bears will look to regroup as they prepare for their final regular-season game against Pittsburgh, who currently holds a record of 8-22 and is tied for last place in the ACC.
What's Next
Cal's final scheduled home game is against Pittsburgh on Sunday, where they will aim to secure a victory to bolster their chances for a favorable position in the ACC tournament. The outcome of this game will be pivotal for the Bears as they seek to enhance their NCAA tournament prospects.
