Even without Rabb, Cal romps in season opener
With preseason All-America power forward Ivan Rabbnursing a lingering toe injury that kept him on the bench in street clothes, Cal got a big lift from its defense during a big run in the second half.
California built a 16-point lead in the first half and pulled away with a 30-3 run early in the second half to extend its home winning streak to 19 games — the second-longest streak in team history.
Grant Mullins added 13 points and seven rebounds while Roger Moute a Bidias added a career-high 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Reid Travis scored 24 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, both career highs, to lead the Cardinal over Harvard in a game played Saturday in Shanghai.
Travis, the Cardinal’s top returning scorer and rebounder, returned to the lineup for the first time since missing the final 22 games of last season with a stress reaction in his left leg.
Jarvis Pugh had 20 points and nine rebounds and the host Broncos gave head coach Herb Sendek a victory in his debut with the team.
Briana Roberson missed only one shot and hit four three-pointers in scoring 16 points as the Cardinal won its 16th straight season opener.
Junior Michaela Rakova scored a career-high 26 points as the Dons won their opener on the Hilltop, the debut for head coach Molly Goodenbour.
Sophomore guard Emily Wolph scored 20 points to lead four Broncos in double figures and host Santa Clara closed with a 20-4 run to beat the Bengals in the opener for both teams.