Watch: Cal's Lulu Twidale Dops 24 Points On Opening Night

Berkeley women's basketball held the visiting UC Riverside Highlanders to just 18 first-half points.

Lulu Twidale scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the California Golden Bears defeated the UC Riverside Highlanders, 77-49, in the season opener for both teams Monday night at Haas Pavilion. The 6-foot-3 junior forward made 8 of 12 shots from the field and was 8 of 9 from the free-throw line.

Cal, which led by 18 at halftime, shot 46.2% from the field, including 8 of 21 from 3-point range. The Bears also outrebounded the Highlanders 42-28.

Twidale, who was named to the All-Pac-12 preseason team, was coming off a season in which she averaged 14.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. She is one of four returning starters for the Bears, who finished 18-12 last season and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Highlanders were led by Keilanei Cooper, who scored 15 points.

Cooper, a 6-foot-2 junior forward, made 6 of 12 shots from the field and was 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. She also grabbed six rebounds.

UC Riverside, which was picked to finish seventh in the Big West Conference preseason poll, is now 0-1 on the season. The Highlanders will host Cal State Fullerton on Thursday night.

Cal will be back in action on Friday night when they host UC Davis.

The Aggies, who are coming off a 15-13 season, are led by senior guard Morgan Bertsch. Bertsch, who was named to the All-Big West preseason team, averaged 14.5 points per game last season.

Cal is 4-0 all-time against UC Davis. The two teams last met in 2019, when the Bears won 74-58.

Here are some highlights from the game:

• Twidale scored the game's first seven points.
• Cal led by 18 points at halftime, 37-19.
• The Bears shot 46.2% from the field, including 8 of 21 from 3-point range.
• Twidale led all scorers with 24 points.
• Cooper led the Highlanders with 15 points.

Conclusion

Cal's women's basketball team opened the season with a convincing 77-49 victory over UC Riverside on Monday night at Haas Pavilion. Twidale led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and the Bears held the Highlanders to just 18 first-half points.

Cal will be back in action on Friday night when they host UC Davis. The Aggies are coming off a 15-13 season and are led by senior guard Morgan Bertsch.