BERKELEY, Calif. (Interstat) — In a nonconference women’s basketball matchup between two surging teams, the California Golden Bears used a dominant first quarter and a clutch final period to hold off a persistent Saint Mary’s Gaels squad 70-62 on Thursday afternoon at Haas Pavilion.

A crowd of 4,624 watched as the Golden Bears, propelled by a 23-point opening quarter, built a substantial early lead that the Gaels spent the rest of the evening chipping away at, only to see California execute down the stretch to secure the victory. The result left both teams with identical 5-1 records early in the season.

The game’s narrative was defined by two distinct phases: California’s explosive start and Saint Mary’s resilient response. The Golden Bears came out of the gates with relentless offensive efficiency, scoring the game’s first seven points and forcing an early Saint Mary’s timeout. The onslaught was led by center Sakima Walker, who established her presence in the paint immediately. By the end of the first quarter, California had built a commanding 23-12 lead, shooting a blistering percentage from the field while the Gaels struggled to find an offensive rhythm.

Saint Mary’s, however, refused to capitulate. The Gaels began to methodically claw their way back into the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Golden Bears 19-16. A more disciplined defensive effort and timely scoring from Emily Foy and Abigail Shoff allowed Saint Mary’s to trim the deficit to eight points by halftime, with the scoreboard reading 39-31 in favor of the home team.

The Gaels’ comeback bid reached its peak in the third quarter. They tightened the screws defensively, holding California to a mere 10 points while adding 18 of their own. The period was a gritty, defensive struggle, with Saint Mary’s slowly erasing the Golden Bears’ cushion. Key baskets from Jada Hunter and a critical three-pointer from Addi Wedin fueled the run, and by the time the fourth quarter began, the Golden Bears’ once-comfortable lead had been whittled down to a precarious 49-48 margin.

The final period evolved into a tense, back-and-forth affair. Every time Saint Mary’s threatened to take the lead, California had an answer. The Golden Bears’ backcourt duo of Lulu Twidale and Aliyahna Morris took control, making pivotal plays in the game’s closing minutes. Twidale connected on a crucial three-pointer and a driving layup, while Morris consistently broke down the defense to create opportunities for herself and her teammates.

With just over three minutes remaining and the Gaels trailing by three, Walker, the 6-foot-5 center from Columbus, Ohio, delivered the decisive blow. She scored on a strong layup inside, was fouled, and completed the three-point play, pushing the lead to six and effectively extinguishing Saint Mary’s momentum. The Golden Bears sealed the game from the free-throw line in the final seconds.

Walker was the standout performer of the afternoon, finishing with a game-high 25 points, just shy of a double-double with 9 rebounds. She also added 3 assists and 2 blocks, anchoring California on both ends of the floor. Twidale, from the Sunshine Coast, Australia, provided vital offensive support with 18 points and 4 assists, while Morris, the 5-foot-5 point guard from Rancho Cucamonga, California, orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 11 assists to go with 5 points and 4 rebounds.

For Saint Mary’s, the effort was led by a balanced scoring attack. Emily Foy of Newcastle, Australia, came off the bench to contribute a team-high 12 points. Abigail Shoff of Redding, California, added 10 points, while Edie Clarke of Melbourne, Australia, controlled the glass with 8 rebounds to go with 5 points and 4 assists.

The game was a tale of two halves, with California’s early dominance ultimately proving just enough to withstand a valiant and sustained effort from the visiting Gaels. Both teams now look ahead to challenging tournament play in Frisco, Texas, with California set to face Grand Canyon and Saint Mary’s preparing to take on Oregon.