The University of California, Berkeley women’s basketball team started the 2026-27 campaign with an 80-58 win against Washington State University on November 2, 2026, at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, California.
Guard Lulu Twidale led the Golden Bears, scoring a game-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including six 3-pointers on 6-of-9 attempts, along with eight rebounds. This marked Twidale’s seventh career game with at least six 3-pointers and her 17th career contest scoring 20 or more points.
Freshman Shannon Dowell made a strong debut for California with 17 points and seven rebounds. The Golden Bears dominated the glass, outrebounding Washington State 48-34 and converting 18 of 21 free throw attempts, with guard Gisella Maul making 7 of 8 from the line.
California maintained the lead throughout the game, never allowing it to drop below 12 points in the fourth quarter. Washington State’s Eleonara Villa led her team with 20 points but was unable to overcome Cal’s control of the pace.
California head coach Charmin Smith praised the team’s defensive effort, stating, “I just really wanted to challenge the team after Vanguard to be better defensively. I think we were holding them to 35% from the field which is a good start for us, but we still have a lot of work to do to be where we want to be.”
The Golden Bears will look to build on this strong start as they prepare to host Long Beach State on November 5, 2026, at Haas Pavilion.
CSB Take
California’s commanding win to open the season underscores the scoring and shooting prowess of Lulu Twidale and the immediate impact of newcomer Shannon Dowell. The team’s advantage on the boards and efficient free throw shooting played critical roles in the victory, setting a positive tone for the season. Head coach Charmin Smith’s focus on improving defense reflects a balanced strategy that will be essential as the Golden Bears face the demands of Pac-12 competition.
Source: Original report
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