Dec 12, 2023 2 min read

CALIFORNIA – Freshman Nina Shaw scored a career-high 20 points and Sierra Bermudez had 18 – all from three-point range – as the California women’s basketball team stormed back from a 16-point halftime deficit to beat Fairmont State 72-68 in a non-conference game Tuesday night.

The win improves 17th-ranked California to 7-1 on the season. The Vulcans have won three in a row. It was the first loss of the season for Fairmont State (8-1). The Falcons were off to their best start in a decade.

The Falcons led 37-21 at halftime as Cal made only eight of 33 shots in the first 20 minutes.

The Vulcans rebounded behind Shaw and Bermudez, who combined to make all 10 of Cal’s three-point field goals. The Vulcans cut Fairmont State’s lead to 48-44 by the end of the third quarter, then embarked on a pivotal 13-0 run in the final quarter to take a 58-53 lead.

Cal took the lead for good at 55-53 on a three-pointer by Shaw. Fairmont State closed to within one point twice in the final minutes but couldn’t regain the lead.

Shaw and Bermudez each scored 15 points in the second half.

Alicia Young tallied 15 points for the Vulcans and Allycia Harris grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

Fairmont State’s Alyssa DeAngelo matched Shaw for game scoring honors with 20 points. Katy Darnell scored 15 points before fouling out and Jalen Gibbs had 12. The Falcons were hurt by making only 13 of 22 free throws.

California will host Shippensburg in a PSAC game Monday.