After trading scores with Murray State just inside of half, the Bears began to break it open with a pair of threes from Patrick Christopher and Theo Robertson to push their lead to 11.

On the next play down the floor, the Racers turned it over, sending Christopher the other way for the layup and the foul. Christopher made it count, and in three trips the lead went from five to 14.

SCORE: Cal 45, Murray State 31, with 15:44 left in the game

Christopher began to look for himself on offense for the first time in the game with a three that rattled out followed by a foot-fake jump shot for a long two points.

Jorge Gutierrez hit a three and pushed the lead to 18, forcing the Racers to take a timeout with 12:34 left.

Side note: True freshman Brandon Smith has been getting in a little bit for Jerome Randle and has been holding his own. He offers a more stable style of play at the point guard position compared with Randle’s sometimes-reckless effort. Smith has two points.