Tyson, Celestine rally Cal to 82-80 victory over Washington
Washington center Braxton Meah, top middle, forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) and guard Koren Johnson (0) work against California guard Jaylon Tyson, left, and forward Fardaws Aimaq, second from right, for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. Credit: AP/Stephen Brashear
SEATTLE — Jaylon Tyson scored 28 points and Jalen Celestine sank a go-ahead 3-pointer with five seconds left to help California rally for an 82-80 victory over Washington on Saturday night.
The Golden Bears (11-15, 7-8 Pac-12 Conference) trailed 75-70 with 4:23 left to play before staging their comeback. Grant Newell scored back-to-back baskets to get Cal within a point. Celestine answered two free throws by Sahvir Wheeler with two of his own and then buried a 3-pointer after a bucket by the Huskies' Keion Brooks Jr. to knot the score at 79 with 1:40 to play.
Wheeler made the second of two free throws with 1:16 remaining, but he turned the ball over on a steal by Cone with 15 seconds left and Celestine buried his game winner coming out of a timeout.
Tyson made 11 of 20 shots with two 3-pointers, adding six assists for the Bears. Jalen Cone scored 14. Fardaws Aimaq totaled 13 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out. Keonte Kennedy had 12 points and nine rebounds.
Brooks finished with 26 points to lead the Huskies (14-12, 6-9). Koren Johnson added 16 points, Wheeler scored 15 with seven boards and Moses Wood scored 11.
Tyson had 21 points in the first half as Cal took a 42-38 lead into intermission.
Wheeler had back-to-back layups and Paul Mulcahy followed with a 3-pointer as Washington regained the lead 47-46 with 16:15 left to play. It was a one-possession game until Brooks hit a 3-pointer to put the Huskies up 61-55 with 10:44 remaining.
Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. shoots against California forward Fardaws Aimaq during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. Credit: AP/Stephen Brashear
Cal snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Huskies and evened the all-time series at 88 wins apiece.
The Huskies beat the Golden Bears on the road 77-75 in January on Wood's basket at the buzzer.
Washington travels to play Arizona State on Thursday. California returns home to play Oregon State on Thursday.
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California guard Keonte Kennedy shoots against Washington guard Paul Mulcahy during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. Credit: AP/Stephen Brashear
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