Solomon leads California over Fresno State 67-56

Dec 14, 2014, 08:19 pm

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Richard Solomon had his third double-double of the season with a season-high 17 points and a team-high 14 rebounds, leading California to a 67-56 victory Saturday against Fresno State.

Justin Cobbs scored 13 points for the Bears (8-3), Tyrone Wallace 12 and Ricky Kreklow 11.

Cal coach Mike Montgomery moved past the late John Wooden into sole possession of 27th place on the Division I list for victories with his 665th win. He ranks ninth among active Division I coaches.

Bulldogs guard Marvelle Harris, who entered the game averaging a team-high 18.4 points per game, scored just two points in the first half, going 0 for 7 from the field, and finished with 13 points on 5-for-18 shooting.

After missing the past four games with an injured right foot, Tyler Johnson returned to the starting lineup and scored 12 points for the Bulldogs (6-5). Cezar Guerrero added 10 points.

Cal built a 28-21 halftime lead, but Fresno State opened the second half on an 11-6 run, cutting the lead to 34-32 with 15:13 remaining on Harris' 3-point shot. At that point, David Kravish landed awkwardly, appeared to injure an ankle and left the game. But he returned with 12:59 left and finished with 12 rebounds.

The Bears answered with a 9-3 surge, extending their lead to 43-35 with just over 12 minutes left. Jordan Mathews drilled a 3-point shot, and Jabari Bird and Kreklow had three-point plays during the run.

The Bulldogs cut Cal's lead to six points, but Cobbs hit a jump shot from the line, and Wallace scored on a layup after a Fresno State turnover, giving Cal a 52-42 edge with 7:30 left.

The 6-foot-10 Solomon took advantage of his superior size against a Bulldogs team that suited up just one player taller than 6-7 -- 6-9 forward Alex Davis. Solomon went 7 for 9 from the field.

Cal shot just 35.3 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from 3-point range in the first half but still built a 28-21 lead against an even colder-shooting Fresno State. The Bulldogs shot 26.7 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from long range in the opening half, making just 1 of 7 3-point tries.

Solomon led the Bears with nine first-half points and six rebounds, while Kreklow scored six points on a pair of 3-pointers, and Cobbs had five points. Johnson paced Fresno State with eight first-half points.

Cal led by 12 points with 6:05 left in the first as Solomon grabbed a rebound and scored on a dunk.

Montgomery shook up his starting lineup Tuesday when the Bears beat Nevada, 92-84, moving Kreklow and Mathews into the starting lineup for Bird and Wallace. Wallace returned to the starting lineup Saturday, replacing Mathews.