Boykin's free throws give Cal NIT victory
Thanks to Jamal Boykin, the Cal basketball team finally gets a rematch with Ohio State after 48 years.
Boykin made two free throws with 3.7 seconds left and the Golden Bears survived New Mexico and its versatile star senior J.R. Giddens, claiming a 68-66 victory in their first-round NIT game Wednesday night at Haas Pavilion.
A sophomore transfer from Duke, Boykin drove to the basket in a tie game and was fouled as he got to the rim.
"I knew time was running out," Boykin said. "It was just intinct. I took it to the hole. I'm happy I got fouled."
Giddens, who had 26 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, rimmed out a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer.
"It was a great look," New Mexico coach Steve Alford said of Giddens' shot.
"It felt good," Giddens said.
Cal (17-15) advances to a second-round game Monday against Ohio State (20-13) at St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The game begins at 4 p.m. PDT and will be telecast on ESPN.
The Bears and Buckeyes will meet for the first time since March 18, 1960, when Ohio State beat Cal 75-55 for the national championship at the Cow Palace in Pete Newell's final game as coach. The Buckeyes featured Hall of Famers Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek along with a reserve named Bob Knight.
"I'll call coach Newell, probably," Cal coach Ben Braun said. "I heard that's the last time Cal played Ohio State. It's just a great opportunity for us.
"We've gotten over not getting into the NCAA tournament. I don't think the guys want to go home now."
"Coach asked us before the game, 'What does the NIT mean?'" said senior Eric Vierniesel, who had a career-high eight assists. "My response was I just want to keep playing. That's what it is for me - survive and advance."
The Golden Bears, who had lost nine of 15 games this season decided by seven points or less, squandered a five-point lead in the final 2 1/2 minutes, but held on when Boykin delivered at the foul line.
An announced crowd of 1,906 fans - one of the smallest at a Cal home game in a quarter century - watched as sophomore Ryan Anderson scored 26 points, but missed two free throws with 36 seconds left and the game tied.
Boykin grabbed the long rebound on the second miss and Cal called time out with 31 seconds left. The Bears then ran the clock inside 10 seconds before Boykin made the play that kept their season alive.
Braun praised the play of senior DeVon Hardin, who had 10 points and played long stretches of solid defense against Giddens.
"We really thought DeVon had the range and the quickness," he said, explaining why he put a 6-foot-11 center on a 6-5 guard. "I thought he at least slowed Giddens down. We weren't going to stop him.
"He has 26 and 13, and I thought we did a pretty good job on him."
Giddens scored nine points in the final 6:36 after DeVon Hardin fouled out.
New Mexico (24-9), which entered the game leading the nation in 3-point accuracy, shot just 7-for-25 from the arc, and was 9-for-20 from the free throw line.
"That's been our Achilles heel all year," Alford said. "It hurt us tonight."
Cal led 66-61 after a layup and free throw by Boykin with 2:20 left. Giddens then made a jumper and free throw, pulling the Lobos within two points with 2:05 left. He missed two free throws and a chance to tie the game but got New Mexico even by making a shot from the lane with 51 seconds after a Cal turnover.
The Bears pounded the ball inside against the smaller Lobos to create a 15-3 run midway through the first half that helped them forge a 37-29 lead at the half.
The lead changed eight times in the first 11-plus minutes of the game when a 3-pointer by Anderson triggered the surge. The Bears scored their next 12 points by going inside and led 33-22 when Boykin converted a put-back and free throw with 2:37 left in the half.
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