BERKELEY, Calif. (Interstat) — The California women’s basketball team methodically built a commanding early lead and then withstood a furious second-half rally from Wake Forest to secure a 61-52 victory in a nonconference game Sunday at Haas Pavilion.

The Golden Bears, improving to 10-8 overall, led by as many as 21 points in the first half before the Demon Deacons clawed back to make it a one-possession game late in the third quarter. California’s defense and interior presence ultimately proved too much, holding Wake Forest to just six first-quarter points and forcing 18 turnovers that led to 13 points.

Sakima Walker, a 6-foot-5 center from Columbus, Ohio, anchored California’s effort with a game-high 17 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots. Her size disrupted Wake Forest’s offense throughout, particularly in the paint where the Demon Deacons, despite a 32-22 advantage in points inside, often found their shots altered or rejected.

The Golden Bears set the tone from the opening tip. After a slow start from both teams, California used a 13-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to seize control. Gisella Maul of Cedar Park, Texas, scored five points during that stretch, including a three-pointer, and finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Australian guard Lulu Twidale added 12 points and five assists, hitting critical three-pointers to stretch the Wake Forest defense.

Wake Forest, which fell to 12-6, endured an offensive nightmare in the first half, shooting just 20 percent from the floor and scoring only 14 points by halftime. The Demon Deacons trailed 26-14 at the break, their lowest-scoring half of the season.

The most important part of the game arrived in the third quarter, as Wake Forest finally found its rhythm. Sparked by the playmaking of guard Caitlyn Jones, who had seven assists and 10 points, the Demon Deacons erupted for 23 points in the period. A 15-4 run, capped by a Grace Oliver three-pointer and a driving layup by Milan Brown, cut California’s lead to 40-37 with under a minute left in the quarter.

California responded immediately to the surge. On the ensuing possession, Lola Donez hit a three-pointer from the corner off an assist from Taylor Barnes. Then, after a Wake Forest turnover, Gisella Maul sank another three at the third-quarter buzzer, pushing the lead back to nine points and stunning the rallying Demon Deacons.

That sequence proved the decisive turning point. The two threes in the final 40 seconds of the third quarter restored California’s momentum and a sense of control. Wake Forest never got closer than seven points in the fourth quarter as the Golden Bears executed in the half-court and made key free throws down the stretch.

Mary Carter, a Rocklin, California native playing in her home region, led Wake Forest with 14 points and seven rebounds. Milan Brown added 13 points and six rebounds, while Grace Oliver contributed nine points and seven boards. The Demon Deacons’ comeback attempt was hampered by 35 percent shooting for the game and an inability to consistently contain Walker and Maul inside.

California’s Mjracle Sheppard filled the stat sheet with seven points, 10 rebounds, four assists and a block, providing crucial defensive energy. The Golden Bears also benefited from a 1652-strong home crowd.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected California with a 92.70 percent probability to win.

Wake Forest, representing the Atlantic Coast Conference, continues a challenging stretch of its schedule, having lost two straight after a four-game winning streak. The Demon Deacons host North Carolina State on Thursday.

California of the Atlantic Coast Conference snaps a two-game skid and looks to build momentum as it travels to face Syracuse, also on Thursday.

The game was a defensive struggle defined by runs. California’s early dominance, Wake Forest’s resilient push, and the Golden Bears’ critical answer at the end of the third quarter provided the narrative arc in a contest where offensive execution was often at a premium. Ultimately, California’s ability to create and capitalize on timely shots when its large lead was threatened secured the victory.