BERKELEY - Bo Barnes matched his career high with 17 points off the bench, Kodi Justice had 16 and Arizona State pulled away with a big run in the first half to beat 79-44 on Thursday night.
The Sun Devils (10-9, 2-4 Pac-12) scored 22 unanswered points and held the Golden Bears scoreless for more than 13 minutes in the first half to win their second consecutive win after opening conference with four straight losses.
Savon Goodman added nine points and seven rebounds for Arizona State.
The Sun Devils led by as much as 38 while extending their winning streak over the Bears to four. Barnes had 11 points in the second half while Justice added three 3-pointers.
Jordan Mathews had 11 points and five rebounds for California (11-8, 1-5). It’s the second-worst home loss in school history.
It’s the third time this season the struggling Sun Devils have won by 36 points or more.
Arizona State shot 48.1 percent and got a big boost from its defense, which forced 19 turnovers while holding California to 13 points in the first half.
The Sun Devils also made 10 3-pointers - four from Justice.
The two teams were tied early when Arizona State went on its big run.
Justice had seven points to get the Sun Devils going while Barnes scored on a tip-in and 3-pointer to help put the Sun Devils up 32-10.
David Kravish ended Cal’s scoring drought with a backdoor layup with 1:38 left in the half but Corban Murray’s short basket helped push Arizona State’s halftime lead to 34-13.
TIP-INS:
Arizona State: The Sun Devils went into the game with the eighth-ranked defense in the Pac-12 but held the Bears scoreless for more than 13 minutes in the first half. ... Arizona State leads the all-time series 39-37.
California: David Kravish needs one block to tie Michael Stewart’s school record of 207 (1994-97). ... The 13 points were the fewest by the Bears in the first half since they were held to five against Notre Dame on Nov. 26, 2010. ... Fifth-year senior Dwight Tarwater started for the first time this season but did not score. ... Jabari Bird was also held scoreless in his first start since Nov. 30.
UP NEXT:
Arizona State: At Stanford on Saturday.
California: Hosts No. 7 Arizona on Saturday.
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