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The California Golden Bears defeated the Denver Pioneers, 72-61, on Friday night at Magness Arena in Denver, Colo. The Pioneers kept pace with Cal in the first half, trailing by just one at the break. However, the Golden Bears used a big second half run to cruise to victory.
Cal outscored Denver, 15-2, during a key six-minute stretch as the game entered its final ten-minute interval. Golden Bears guards Allen Crabbe and Justin Cobbs came up huge, combining for 37 points out of the backcourt. Forward David Kravish established his presence by scoring 11 points and collecting 12 rebounds.
Brett Olson led the Pioneers in scoring, putting up 17 points on 5 of 11 shooting. All five of his field goals came from beyond the three-point line. Forward Chris Udofia added 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Royce O'Neale scored 14 points and pulled down eight boards.
Up next for Denver are the Colorado State Rams on Nov. 21, while the victorious Golden Bears will see the Drake Bulldogs in the first round of the DirecTV Classic on Thanksgiving Day.