Cal Freshmen Shine Despite Loss to No. 19 Vanderbilt in France

The Cal women’s basketball team faced off against No. 19 Vanderbilt in Paris for their season opener on Monday. Despite a 74-65 loss, two freshmen showcased their potential for the upcoming season.

Cal Freshmen Make Their Mark in Paris

Leading the way for Cal was freshman Taylor Barnes, who was the standout performer. Barnes scored a team-high 17 points, contributing significantly with 7-for-13 shooting. She also recorded five assists and six rebounds.

The other freshman, Puff Morris, came into the game with considerable anticipation as a former McDonald’s All-American. Morris tallied 10 points and four assists, but her performance declined in the second half as she struggled to find her rhythm, shooting 4-for-13 overall.

Game Highlights

• Cal held a nine-point lead, 33-24, late in the first half.
• Vanderbilt responded with a dominant 30-4 scoring run, turning the game around.
• Mikayla, Vanderbilt’s All-SEC guard, led all scorers with 27 points, despite shooting 9-for-27 from the field.

Cal’s performance was hindered by turnovers, as they committed 17 throughout the game. Returning player Lulu Twidale struggled, scoring 11 points mostly in garbage time and shooting 4-for-13 overall. Her performance was critical given she was the Bears’ second-leading scorer last season, averaging 13.2 points.

Shooting Challenges

Cal relied heavily on three-point shots last season but faced challenges in this game. The Bears made only seven of their 28 attempts from beyond the arc, indicating a need for improvement in their shooting consistency this season.

Rebounding and Future Prospects

Center Sakima Walker, a transfer from South Carolina, added 14 points and led with 11 rebounds. Although Cal dominated early in offensive rebounding, they ended the game behind Vanderbilt, who finished with a 27-20 advantage in that category.

Despite the loss, the performances of Barnes and Morris provide optimism for Cal’s season. Their growth will be essential as the team looks to build momentum moving forward.