BERKELEY, Calif. — In a commanding performance, the No. 19 California Golden Bears triumphed over Pittsburgh with a decisive 84-53 victory on Sunday, fueled by standout efforts from Lulu Twidale and Ioanna Krimili. Twidale contributed significantly, scoring 17 points, while Krimili added 16 points to the scoreboard.

The Golden Bears asserted their dominance particularly during the first half, especially in the second quarter. California outscored Pittsburgh 28-9, extending their lead from a narrow 18-11 advantage at the end of the first quarter to a tremendous 46-20 by halftime. Twidale showcased her skill with a sequence that included a three-shot free-throw opportunity and a three-pointer, closing the first half with 12 points.

California continued their offensive prowess in the third quarter, outpacing the Panthers 18-9, although Pittsburgh managed to gain some momentum in the final quarter, with a slight edge of 24-20. For the Bears, Ugonne Onyiah made a notable contribution with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Marta Suarez also chipped in 12 points. Krimili rounded out her performance with six rebounds and four assists.

On the opposing side, Marley Washenitz stood out for Pittsburgh (9-14, 1-9), leading all scorers with 20 points. Khadija Faye also made her mark, tallying 16 points. Unfortunately for the Panthers, who have now lost eight of their last nine matchups, their scoring was restricted to only the starters.

This matchup marked California’s annual Play4Kay game, where the team donned pink jerseys and auctioned off player-designed shooting shirts to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. Looking ahead, Pittsburgh is set to welcome Boston College on Thursday, while California will travel to face Louisville on the same day, followed by a matchup against No. 3 Notre Dame on Sunday.