California’s perimeter shooting powers 86-75 road win over Boston College as Eagles’ skid grows

Cal starts fast, never trails at Conte Forum

California controlled the game from the opening minutes Saturday, building an early lead and turning sustained perimeter accuracy into an 86-75 win over Boston College at Silvio O. Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill.

The Golden Bears did not trail and stretched their advantage to 20 points in each half. The result moved California to 18-8 overall and 6-7 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while Boston College fell to 9-16 overall and 2-10 in the ACC, extending the Eagles’ losing streak to six games.

Three-point volume defines the margin

California’s advantage was most pronounced beyond the arc. Chris Bell hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points, leading a Golden Bears attack that finished 14-for-29 from three-point range. John Camden added four 3s and scored 15 points, matching Dai Dai Ames’ 15. Justin Pippen contributed 12 points.

Boston College, by contrast, went 8-for-22 from deep. The Eagles’ leading scorer was Fred Payne with 16 points. Chase Forte scored 14, and Luka Toews and Jayden Hastings added 12 apiece.

• California’s top scorers: Chris Bell (22), John Camden (15), Dai Dai Ames (15), Justin Pippen (12).
• Boston College’s top scorers: Fred Payne (16), Chase Forte (14), Luka Toews (12), Jayden Hastings (12).

Key runs: late-first-half separation, early-second-half push

California created separation with a 19-8 surge late in the first half, capped by a Camden three. Boston College entered halftime down 43-28 after a late Payne three narrowed the deficit.

Any chance of a quick reset after intermission was blunted when Camden connected again from long range early in the second half, helping push the lead to 55-35 with 16:32 remaining.

Boston College’s most significant rally came late, when Toews’ three with 4:18 left sparked a 10-3 run that cut the margin to 80-71 with 2:16 to play.

California answered immediately: Camden hit a three during the closing stretch, and the Eagles did not get closer.

What the result means, and what’s next

The win halted a two-game California skid and provided a road result that keeps the Golden Bears in the middle of the ACC standings entering the final phase of the regular season. For Boston College, the defeat underscored the narrow margin for error when opponents generate high-efficiency three-point offense.

Next on the schedule: California is set to host Stanford on Saturday, while Boston College will travel to Florida State on Saturday.