Andrej Stojakovic, Jovan Blacksher Jr., and Joshua Ola-Joseph led California to a 71-66 victory over USC in a closely contested game on Sunday night. Stojakovic scored 20 points, Blacksher Jr. added 19, and Ola-Joseph made crucial plays down the stretch to secure the win. This matchup between former conference rivals in the now-defunct Pac-12 saw Cal emerge victorious and extend their winning streak against USC to two games after a decade of losses.
Desmond Claude and Saint Thomas gave USC a brief lead in the second half, but Cal’s strong defense held the Trojans to just one made field goal in the final minutes. Ola-Joseph’s scoring and rebounding prowess proved to be instrumental in the Bears’ success, as he contributed six points, seven rebounds, and a key steal during the crucial moments of the game.
Cal’s victory marked their first nonconference road win since 2017. Blacksher Jr. stood out with his sharpshooting, making four of five three-pointers in the first half and finishing with 18 points at the break. The Bears displayed a balanced scoring effort, with DJ Campbell and Wesley Yates III also contributing to the team’s success.
With this win, Cal improved to a 3-1 record, while USC suffered their first loss of the season, dropping to 3-1. The Golden Bears now lead the all-time series against the Trojans and continue to build momentum as they navigate their new conference affiliation in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
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