Austin's free throws lift Cal past Stanford 52-50

Paris Austin made two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining, and California held on to beat Stanford 52-50 on Sunday.

Austin finished with 15 points, Matt Bradley scored 14 and Kareem South added 13 for the Golden Bears (9-10, 3-3 Pac-12).

Oscar da Silva had 13 points and seven rebounds for Stanford (15-4, 4-2). The loss knocks the Cardinal out of first place in the Pac-12.

California trailed by 11 with 12 minutes to go, then went on a 17-2 run over the next 6 ½ minutes.

Austin had six points during the run but it was his free-throw shooting at the end that made the biggest difference. His two makes came after he had missed one of two.

Bryce Wills appeared to score at the buzzer but the basket was waved off by an official. After a brief review the call was upheld, allowing California to split the season series with its Northern California rival.

It’s the fifth consecutive season that the Bears and Cardinal have split their two games.

Stanford was coming off an 82-78 overtime loss at USC on Jan. 18 when the Cardinal blew a 17-point halftime lead.

BIG PICTURE

Stanford: This one will sting for many reasons. The Cardinal had a double-digit lead and momentum on its side early in the second half before going cold during California’s big run. With back-to-back losses for the first time this season, coach Jerod Haase’s team will be tested in how they respond.

California: The Bears needed a signature win and this was it. Beating their rival, at home in front of a crowd of 9,000, should provide Cal a big boost as the season progresses. It wasn’t all pretty. The Bears shot 1 of 15 coming out of halftime but put it together when they needed it most.

UP NEXT

Stanford: Hosts Oregon State on Thursday at Maples Pavilion.

California: Plays No. 12 Oregon at Haas Pavilion on Thursday.