California Golden Bears @ Kentucky Wildcats
No. 24 Cal women use balance to down Kentucky 62-52
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Asha Thomas led a balanced attack with 17 points and No. 24 California won its sixth straight, defeating cold-shooting Kentucky 62-52 on Thursday.
Mikayla Cowling added 15 points, including 10 in the second quarter that was critical for the Golden Bears (9-2). Kianna Smith, who matched Thomas' three 3-pointers, added 14 points and Penina Davidson had 13.
Maci Morris led Kentucky (8-5), which has lost four straight, with 21 points. Despite 25 offensive rebounds and 24 more shots, the Wildcats finished at a season-low 26.5 percent (18 of 68), shooting better behind the arc (7 of 20).
Cal held Kentucky without a field goal for the final 8:05 of the second quarter and scored eight points off turnovers, to turn a 20-15 deficit into a 30-27 halftime lead.
The Wildcats scored the first six points of the third quarter to regain the lead but the Bears went on a 10-0 run, five by Smith, to close the period and lead 46-37. Kentucky went the final 6:30 without a field goal.
Cal made 7 of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter to protect the lead.
Game Information
Lexington, KY
Referee:Kevin Pethtel
Referee:Frank Steratore
Referee:Eric Baker
2025-26 Standings
| Atlantic Coast ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 16-2 | - | 27-9 |
| Louisville | 15-3 | 1 | 29-8 |
| North Carolina | 14-4 | 2 | 28-8 |
| NC State | 13-5 | 3 | 21-11 |
| Syracuse | 12-6 | 4 | 24-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 12-6 | 4 | 23-10 |
| Notre Dame | 12-6 | 4 | 25-11 |
| Virginia | 11-7 | 5 | 22-12 |
| Clemson | 11-7 | 5 | 21-12 |
| California | 9-9 | 7 | 21-15 |
| Stanford | 8-10 | 8 | 21-14 |
| Miami | 8-10 | 8 | 18-15 |
| Georgia Tech | 8-10 | 8 | 14-19 |
| Florida State | 5-13 | 11 | 10-21 |
| Wake Forest | 4-14 | 12 | 14-18 |
| SMU | 2-16 | 14 | 9-21 |
| Pittsburgh | 1-17 | 15 | 8-23 |
| Boston College | 1-17 | 15 | 5-26 |
| Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 15-1 | - | 36-4 |
| Texas | 13-3 | 2 | 35-4 |
| Vanderbilt | 13-3 | 2 | 29-5 |
| LSU | 12-4 | 3 | 29-6 |
| Oklahoma | 11-5 | 4 | 26-8 |
| Kentucky | 8-8 | 7 | 25-11 |
| Georgia | 8-8 | 7 | 22-10 |
| Ole Miss | 8-8 | 7 | 24-12 |
| Tennessee | 8-8 | 7 | 16-14 |
| Alabama | 7-9 | 8 | 24-11 |
| Texas A&M | 7-9 | 8 | 14-13 |
| Mississippi State | 5-11 | 10 | 18-13 |
| Florida | 5-11 | 10 | 18-15 |
| Missouri | 4-12 | 11 | 17-17 |
| Auburn | 3-13 | 12 | 15-17 |
| Arkansas | 1-15 | 14 | 12-20 |
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