Jeremiah Wilkinson propels Cal to victory with 25 points
- Freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson achieved career highs, scoring 25 points and making six 3-pointers.
- The Golden Bears dominated the game, leading by 18 points at halftime and pushing their lead to as much as 30 points in the second half.
- This victory against Mercyhurst improved Cal's season record to 6-1, marking their best start to a season since 2016-17.
On November 26, 2024, in Berkeley, California, the Golden Bears faced off against the Mercyhurst Lakers in the final game of the Cal Classic. Freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson made an outstanding contribution to his team, scoring a personal best of 25 points while connecting on six 3-pointers. Known primarily as a backup guard, this performance marked a significant rise from his previous season highs of 23 points and two 3-pointers. Alongside Wilkinson, Andrej Stojakovic and Joshua Ola-Joseph also made substantial contributions, scoring 15 and 13 points respectively, helping the team to secure an impressive victory with a final score of 81-55. The game began with a shaky start, as Cal scored only two points in the first 4 and a half minutes. However, they found their rhythm soon after and concluded the first half with a commanding 41-23 lead. Wilkinson had considerable success from beyond the arc, converting 3 of 4 3-point attempts and totaling 12 points by halftime. His contributions helped the Golden Bears shoot 65% from the field after the slow start, illustrating a remarkable turnaround. The second half saw the Bears maintain their momentum, with a 10-0 scoring run giving them a dominating 30-point lead at one point. Defensively, Cal stifled the Lakers’ offense, forcing them into a field goal drought that lasted four minutes. The Bears' defense was complemented by personal bests; Wilkinson also recorded four assists and two steals during the game. The combination of effective offense and solid defense enabled the Golden Bears to resist any significant charge from the Lakers throughout the contest. Despite a lower scoring from some of their key players, the combined effort from the Cal squad resulted in a comprehensive win. The Cal Classic, a multi-team event that started earlier in the month, featured the Golden Bears winning against Air Force and Sacramento State in preceding games. This victory marked a significant moment as it pushed Cal's season record to 6-1, their best start since the 2016-17 season. With this win, the Golden Bears demonstrated their potential and depth, leading to increased enthusiasm as they move forward in their season, showcasing the promising talent of players like Jeremiah Wilkinson.