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BERKELEY, Calif. — Andrej Stojakovic made 11 of his 15 free throws and contributed 20 points as the University of California secured an 83-77 victory against Sacramento State during the Cal Classic tournament on Sunday.
The Golden Bears entered the tournament missing three key players: Jovan Blacksher Jr., DJ Campbell, and BJ Omot. Despite these absences, Cal managed to achieve consecutive victories, having defeated both Air Force and Sacramento State. Stojakovic achieved a personal milestone by scoring a career-best 21 points in the match against Air Force, while freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson shone brightly with a career-high 23 points. In the game against Sacramento State, Wilkinson came off the bench to contribute 16 points.
Early in the game, Sacramento State surged to a 12-7 lead after Emil Skytta successfully converted two free throws five minutes into the match. However, Wilkinson quickly responded with consecutive baskets, and Stojakovic was fouled on a three-point shot, making all three free throws. This sequence turned the momentum, allowing the Golden Bears to take a lead at 14-12 and eventually extend it to 40-33 by halftime. In the second half, Julian Vaughns sank a three-pointer three minutes in to tie the game at 43, and after a free throw, Sacramento State briefly took the lead. Yet, back-to-back three-pointers from Ryan Petraitis and Wilkinson put Cal ahead 51-47, and the Golden Bears maintained that lead for the remainder of the game.
Petraitis concluded the contest with 13 points, five assists, and three steals for California (5-1). Teammates Joshua Ola-Joseph and Mady Sissoko also contributed with 10 points each.
On the Sacramento State side (1-4), Jacob Holt led with 25 points, along with eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Vaughns recorded 18 points, while EJ Neal chipped in with 16 points.
This encounter was notable as it marked just the third time these local rivals, separated by approximately 80 miles, faced each other, with the previous meeting taking place back in 1992.
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