The Golden Bears (9-9, 2-5), whose largest lead all game was two points, led 29-27 at halftime. TJ Bamba sank a 3-pointer to open the second half for WSU and neither team took a two-possession lead until Noah Williams' rebound bucket put the Cougars up 51-47 with 7:06 remaining in the game. Jordan Shepherd hit a jumper to pull Cal within two, but Mouhamed Gueye, a 50% free-throw shooter, made a pair and Jakimovski buried a 3 to extend the Cougars' lead to 56-49 with 5:02 left to play.
Cal answered with an Andre Kelly layup and a 3-pointer by Jalen Celestine to close to within 56-54 with 3:55 to go.