UW men stay perfect in Pac-12 with win over Cal

The Huskies struggle early, but pull away in the second half to beat the Golden Bears 71-52

Washington’s Dominic Green shoots in front of California’s bench in the first half of a game on Jan. 19, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Washington’s Dominic Green shoots in front of California’s bench in the first half of a game on Jan. 19, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

By Tim Booth / Associated Press

SEATTLE — Reaching the 5-0 mark in conference play for the first time in 35 years seemed to bring a collective yawn from Washington. The Huskies appear well aware the test of whether they are the best team in a down Pac-12 is about to begin.

“The only thing I think our standing in the Pac-12 and our record so far in conference does is just we’re getting everyone’s best shot and it makes people want to beat us even more. That means we have to play even better,” Washington’s Matisse Thybulle said. “We’re accepting the challenge and we’re going to take it head on, and it’s exciting.”

Dominic Green hit four 3-pointers and scored 17 points off the bench, Thybulle added 13 points, and Washington improved to 5-0 in conference play for the first time since the 1983-84 season with a 71-52 win over California on Saturday.

Washington (14-4, 5-0 Pac-12) won its seventh straight overall, but this one won’t be an attractive addition to the season resume. The Huskies missed 13 of their first 14 shots and committed nine turnovers in the first half, trailing by as many as 11 against the Golden Bears. But the Huskies rallied to remain perfect in conference play and will have a chance to match the mark of the 1983-84 team which started its conference schedule 6-0.

But Washington has benefited from a favorable early schedule that’s about to get tougher. Four of Washington’s next six are on the road with trips to the Oregon and Arizona schools.

“It’s just a record and at the end of the day we’ve got Oregon and Oregon State. That’s what we have to be concerned about,” Washington coach Mike Hopkins said.

Sparked by Green’s shooting from deep, the Huskies rallied to take the lead before halftime and pulled away in the second half. Washington was fortunate to make 10 3-pointers as it struggled to get inside looks against California’s zone defense. It was the fourth time this season the Huskies hit at least 10 3s in a game.

David Crisp and Noah Dickerson both added 12 points and Jaylen Nowell had 11 as Washington put five players in double figures for the second time during its seven-game win streak. The Huskies also had five in double figures in their win over Cal State Fullerton.

Washington’s win was its 1,000th all-time at Hec Edumundson Pavilion, becoming the first Division I team to reach 1,000 wins in one arena.

Paris Austin and Andre Kelly led California (5-13, 0-6) with 12 points each, but the Golden Bears lost their seventh straight despite giving Washington problems in the first half. The 52 points were a season-low for Cal, and the Bears shot just 30.5 percent, hitting a season-worst one 3-pointer.

“We battled tonight, we just couldn’t hit a shot,” Cal coach Wyking Jones said. “We started the game out getting stops and getting out in transition and I was happy to see that, but we really struggled against their half-court zone.”

Washington somehow led 29-28 at halftime despite one of its ugliest halves of basketball all season with the missed shots and early turnovers. But a run of 3-pointers by Green settled Washington down and Nowell’s transition layup in the final minute gave the Huskies the lead at the break.

The lead quickly ballooned to start the second half as Washington scored 18 of the first 25 points, including 3s from Thybulle, Nowell and a pair from Crisp to take a 47-35 lead.

“We were just stagnant. We would run one of our plays, guys were not running the play or they were running it incorrectly. … The key was just settling down and executing our game plan,” Hopkins said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Mill Creek Little League softball players listen to former players talk about their experiences at regionals before the start of their practice on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Little League softball all-stars win state

The team will open the regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif. on Saturday.

Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on June 5, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper, Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks make rare deal to sign Nick Emmanwori for camp

How much do the Seahawks already value Nick Emmanwori, months before he… Continue reading

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Cal Raleigh (29) hits a home run during a game between the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday, July 11, 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez / Tribune News Services)
Cal Raleigh becoming known for more than his nickname

Cal Raleigh endured the busiest all-star “break” in the history… Continue reading

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

Caitlin Clark to miss WNBA All-Star Game after injury

Caitlin Clark is sitting out of the WNBA All-Star Game festivities. The… Continue reading

Chiefs’ Rice sentenced in 2024 crash, NFL suspension looms

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice has been sentenced to five years… Continue reading

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.