Kristine Anigwe’s record-breaking 50 points helps Cal rout Sacramento State, 97-73

And that's FIFTY points for @KristineAnigwe! Most ever for any Cal Basketball player – men's or women's! #GoBears pic.twitter.com/kY9gaageYg

— Leslie Mitchell (@Lesmitch529) December 9, 2016

BERKELEY, Calif. – In a game that California (8-0) dominated from beginning to end to earn the best start in program history, sophomore center Kristine Anigwe set the school record, for men or women, for points in a game finishing with 50 points plus 14 rebounds. The Bears defeated Sacramento State (3-6), 97-72 holding the Hornets below their season average of 91.6 points per game.

At the half, Anigwe had 31 points and seven rebounds. She broke a previous Cal record of 47 points in a game set by Alexis Gray-Lawson at Oregon State, Jan. 23, 2010. Her 14 rebounds was a season high, just one short carom short her career high. She played only 24 minutes against Sacramento State.

When asked about her record, Anigwe replied humbly, giving credit to others: “Just blessed that I have such amazing teammates and an amazing coach.”

“My teammates believe in me so much and they just throw up the ball and know I’m going to get it,” she explained. “I’m happy I was able to do this in front of everyone that has helped me. My teammates really care about me and I’m so happy to be here.”

Her coach Lindsay Gottlieb praised the her squad while pointing out Anigwe’s talents as well.

“Credit to the rest of the team and to Kristine for making extraordinary things look ordinary,” Gottlieb said. “There are other really good post players, but I don’t know if there is a better one [than Kristine]. It is my job to also put great players around her to be one of the best teams. That’s always been my goal.”

She also put things in perspective overall.

“Our team getting off to the best start in program history is the most important thing,” said Gottlieb, “and then her setting an individual record is pretty cool.”

Sophomore guard Mo Mosley was also in double figures for Cal with 11 points and plus four assists.

Ashlyn Crenshaw paced Sacramento State with 13 points. Alexia Mefi added 12 points plus eight rebounds and Emily Easom scored 10.

Next up for Cal is a Sunday home game against Lehigh. The contest is the program’s “We Back Pat” game honoring the late Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Pat Summit. The Bears head to Las Vegas mid-month for a tournament that features Southern Miss, Oklahoma and Arkansas State.

Sacramento State goes on the road to face UC Irvine on Dec. 10.

Notes

• Anigwe’s 50 points is the most scored in a game by any NCAA Division I women’s basketball player so far this season. Second on the list is Northern Illinois’ Alley Lehman (48) followed by James Madison’s Precious Hall (46) and Washington’s Kelsey Plum (44).
• The record matches the Pac-12 mark set by Cherie Nelson (USC) in a game vs. Cal in 1989.
• Anigwe also recorded her fifth double-double of the season and shot 83 percent from the field.
• Cal starting forward Penina Davidson missed the game due to illness. She is expected to be available for Sunday’s game against Lehigh.

Around the Web

• Anigwe’s 50 Lead Cal to Historic Night (BearInsider)
• Kristine Anigwe makes history as Cal improves to 8-0 (Golden Bear Report)