Justin Cobbsmade two free throws with 21 seconds left in overtime and the Cal Golden Bears survived a couple of missed 3-pointers in the closing seconds to hold off the Colorado Buffaloes 66-65 Saturday at Haas Pavilion, snapping a three-game losing streak and picking up a win vital to their fading NCAA tournament hopes.
The Golden Bears (19-12, 10-8 Pac-12 Conference) rallied from nine points down in the final 8:53 of regulation, actually leading a couple of times in the closing minutes before having to rally at the end.
David Kravishknocked down a jumper with 3:26 remaining that capped a 13-3 run and gave Cal a 55-54 lead and moments later,Richard Solomonscored on the inside to put the Bears back up 57-55.
The Buffaloes (21-10, 10-8) ran off four straight points, taking a 59-57 lead with 50 seconds left on a bucket byAskia Booker.
Cobbs made a pair of free throws with 29 seconds left to tie it and Colorado wasn’t able to get off a final shot before the game headed to overtime.
Cal trailed throughout the extra session until Kravish knocked down a pair of free throws with 58 seconds left to give the Golden Bears a 64-63 lead. The Buffs responded with a driving layup by Booker.
Cobbs missed a jumper but Cal came up with the rebound and Cobbs was subsequently fouled with 21 seconds left. He knocked down both shots and the Golden Bears went back up one.
Xavier Taltonmissed a 3-pointer with eight seconds to go andTyrone Wallacegrabbed the board and was immediately fouled. But Wallace clanked the front end of the one-and-one and the Buffs had enough time for Booker to get off a 3-pointer that was off target as time expired.
Cobbs socred 21 points for the Golden Bears, who went with an unconventional starting lineup on Senior Day, withRoger Moute a Bidias,Sam SingerandGarrett Galvinstarting in place of Kravish, Solomon andRicky Kreklow.
Kravish and Solomon each checked in with 14 points and 12 rebounds, with Solomon also blocking four shots, and Kreklow handed out six assists.
Xavier Johnsonled the Buffaloes with 24 points, Booker added 11 andJosh Scottscored 10.Wesley Gordongrabbed 11 rebounds.
Colorado was 25-for-62 (40.3 percent) overall, 6-for-18 (33.3 percent) from long distance and 9-for-14 (64.3 percent) from the foul line. Cal was 23-for-65 (35.4 percent), 6-for-21 (28.6 percent) and 14-for-19 (73.7 percent).
The Buffaloes had a 45-35 edge on the board, but hurt themselves with 12 turnovers while the Golden Bears committed only five.
The Golden Bears finish the regular-season in a five-way tie for third place in the conference along with Oregon—which upset No. 3 Arizona on Saturday, Arizona State, Colorado and Stanford. Their next action will be in the Pac-12 tournament, which opens Wednesday in Las Vegas with first-round play. The top four seeds will have a bye into Thursday’s quarterfinals.
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