In a captivating college basketball showdown in Berkeley, California, the Golden Bears triumphed over Miami with a 98-94 victory in overtime. This thrilling game showcased the impressive skills of Jeremiah Wilkinson, who led California with a career-high 30 points, and DJ Campbell, who added a season-best 22 points to the scoreboard.
Miami’s Matthew Cleveland brought the crowd to the edge of their seats, dramatically tying the game as regulation ended. With only 4.6 seconds on the clock, Cleveland received an inbound pass and nailed a heavily contested three-pointer, forcing the game into overtime at 79-79.
During the overtime period, Cal’s Campbell powered through Miami's defense, contributing six crucial points in a pivotal 9-2 surge that propelled the team to an 88-81 lead. The Golden Bears continued their momentum, extending the lead to 94-86 in the final 24 seconds. Despite A.J. Staton-McCray's back-to-back three-pointers narrowing the gap for Miami, Cal maintained their composure and sealed the game with strategic free throws.
The Golden Bears, now holding an 11-9 overall record and 4-5 in the ACC, have exhibited growing momentum with three consecutive victories. Miami, meanwhile, has been struggling, extending their losing streak to nine, standing at 4-16 overall and 0-9 in the conference.
Wilkinson's performance was marked by his efficiency at the free-throw line, making 9 out of 10 attempts. However, his accuracy from beyond the arc left room for improvement, with only 1 out of 10 shots landing. Complementing his efforts, Campbell demonstrated an impressive shooting touch with 6-of-12 from the field and 9-of-11 from the line, contributing to the team's overall 49% shooting average and solid 75% free throw completion.
Miami’s Cleveland concluded with an equally compelling personal performance, matching Wilkinson's 30 points and adding eight rebounds. His teammate, Brandon Johnson, also made significant contributions with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Golden Bears are set to face SMU, hoping to build on their winning streak, while Miami aims to break free from its slump against Virginia later this week.