![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27782747.jpg\")
Dec 9, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears guard Justin Pippen (10) dribbles the ball past Dominican Penguins forward Jorge Ochoa (24) during the first half at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nJustin Pippen scored a career-high 24 points to lead five Cal players in double figures as the Golden Bears rallied from a three-point halftime deficit to beat Division II Dominican 93-71 on Tuesday in Berkeley, Calif.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n John Camden had 18 points, Dai Dai Ames scored 14 and Chris Bell added 11 for the Bears, who at 9-1 are off to their best start since 2014-15. Semetri Carr had career highs with 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Bears overcame a slow start and scored 65 points in the second half to topple Dominican (5-1), which was picked to finish 11th in the Pacific West Conference preseason coaches’ poll. The game was officially an exhibition for the Penguins.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Nick Medeiros led the Penguins with 16 points and nine assists. Michael Wilson scored 10 points, while Sargent Jeffery, Jorge Ochoa and Darius Best each scored nine points.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Cal shot 66.7% from the field and 63.6% (7 of 11) from 3-point range in the second half.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Dominican sprinted to a 22-11 lead in the first half before Cal settled in and moved ahead 28-26 on Carr’s two foul shots with 1:29 left.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Wilson followed with a 3-pointer and Medeiros turned a steal into a layup to give the Penguins a 31-28 advantage at intermission.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Medeiros scored 10 points in the first half for Dominican, which held Cal to 18.4% shooting in the first 20 minutes, including 6.3% (1 of 16) from 3-point range.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Pippen scored five quick points to begin the second half and the Bears moved ahead 61-53 on Ames’ layup with 10:38 remaining.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Ames converted a three-point play with 8:50 left to give Cal its first double-digit lead of the game at 68-58.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Cal maintained control and led 81-65 after Ames scored with 4:31 remaining. The Bears held Dominican without a field goal in the final 4:13 and improved to 8-0 at Haas Pavilion.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Pippen was 9 of 9 from the foul line and had four steals for the Bears, whose only loss was a 99-96 road setback against Kansas State on Nov. 13.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n