Cal battles back to beat Oregon at stay atop PAC-12
By Adrian Henderon
2/16/12 Berkeley, Calif. -- Junior Devoe Joseph and the Oregon Ducks fell short to the first place Cal Golden Bears 83-86 in Haas Pavilion. Devoe gave Cal a scare hitting two threes in the last 30-seconds on his way to a game high 33 points, shooting 10-of-17 including 4-of-9 from downtown. The Ducks had one last chance to tie down three with 18-seconds but Devoe could not get the shot and E.J. Singler air-balled a three.
“I’m not going to lie to you I was nervous,” Cal sophomore Justin Cobbs admitted. “He hits two with hands in his face and they were deep shots also. I was just nervous (saying) ‘Devoe’ please don’t do it to me. But we were able to stop him from getting the ball and we’re happy we pulled it off”
This was somewhat of a reunion for Cobbs and Devoe who played together at for a year at Minnesota before the both transferred after Tubby Smith left after the 2009-10 season. Cobbs led the Bears with 28 points, 8 assists, 4 steals and zero turnovers.
“Coaches were telling me be aggressive and if you can put this team on your back.” I was just trying to find guys and score the ball.
The Ducks seemed to be quicker and more athletic as they took a 65-73 lead after Carlos Emory nailed a baseline jumper, for two of his 11 points with 5:38 remaining. That is just when the Bears decided to go Duck hunting and Cobbs lead the charge with two straight fast-breaks off turnovers to start a 18-4 run over the next 5-minutes to capture a 83-77 lead.
“I just think it shows what kind of team we are,” Cobbs said. “We can handle adversity. No matter what happens on the court, we’re still going to do what ever it takes.”
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