In Berkeley, California, Ioanna Krimili showcased her shooting skills, nailing five 3-pointers and amassing a total of 19 points, while Ugonne Onyiah was perfect from the field, hitting all six attempts for 13 points. The No. 24 ranked California team triumphed over Fordham with a final score of 69-53 during the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational, marking their sixth consecutive victory.
With a record of 12-1, Cal has achieved its strongest start since the 2016-17 season, during which they secured 13 straight wins at the beginning of the year. This performance also marks the Bears’ return to the top 25 in the national rankings for the first time since January 2019.
The Bears opened the game aggressively, with Lulu Tridale, Kayla Williams, and Krimili all contributing a 3-pointer each. They scored 11 points in a row to establish an early 13-2 lead with 7:10 left in the first quarter. California maintained control, extending their lead to as many as 14 points before Chae Harris managed to bring Fordham closer, closing the period at 22-10.
Fordham came out strong in the second quarter, displaying a spirited comeback with a 13-4 run that narrowed the gap to just three points. Taya Davis played a crucial role in this surge, scoring two baskets in quick succession, but Krimili quickly responded with two free throws and then a 3-pointer, snapping the momentum and helping Cal to a 33-25 halftime lead.
As the third quarter progressed, Jayda Noble converted a traditional three-point play, extending California’s lead to 48-37 with just 2:17 remaining in the quarter. From that point onward, Cal maintained a comfortable lead, staying ahead by double digits for the remainder of the match.
On the other side, Taylor Donaldson stood out for Fordham, leading her team with 24 points from 10-of-24 shooting, which included four 3-pointers. Despite their previous four-game winning streak, the Rams struggled in their shooting, finishing the game with a 32% success rate from the field, making only 19 of their 59 attempts.
