Anigwe's big game helps Cal beat Washington State 77-58

Mar 7, 2020, 10:52 pm

LAS VEGAS -- Kristine Anigwe had 27 points and 16 rebounds to lead seventh-seeded Cal to a 77-58 win over 10th-seeded Washington State in the opening round of the Pac-12 Tournament on Thursday night.

When these two teams met last Sunday, Anigwe had 32 points and 30 rebounds -- the first Division I player since 2002 to reach 30 in both categories in the same game. She single-handedly outrebounded the Cougars by eight that night as Cal won by 22.

Anigwe did her part for Cal (19-11) on Thursday despite facing constant double and triple teams. She recorded her 31st straight double-double, the longest in Pac-12 history.

Chanelle Molina helped Washington State (9-21) hang around for 25 minutes as the Cougars only trailed 36-34 at the break. She had 14 of her 24 points in the first half to offset Anigwe's 17 points.

Cal, which will face Stanford in the quarterfinals Friday night, got going in the third quarter behind Recee Caldwell. She had eight of her 14 points in the period as Cal extended its advantage to 58-51. Anigwe broke Cal's career blocks record when she recorded her 199th in the third quarter. She passed Charlotte Lusschen, who held the record of 198 since 1986. With her three blocks, Anigwe now has 200 in her career.

The Bears put the game away early in the fourth quarter, scoring 13 of the first 14 points.