Colorado beats California 54-46 behind White's 17 points (Mar 04, 2017)
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) Derrick White made a contested, turnaround 3-pointer with 20.6 seconds left and finished with 17 points, helping Colorado fend off California in the late going for a 54-46 win on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Xavier Jonson had 19 points and went 8 for 8 from the free throw line to lead Colorado (18-13, 8-10 Pac-12), which split its season series with Cal (19-11, 10-8).
Ivan Rabb had 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Golden Bears, who missed a chance to notch their second consecutive 20-win campaign. Jabari Bird also scored 11 and Grant Mullins added 10 for Cal, which has stumbled down the stretch, losing five of its last six.
With the game tied at 37, Johnson made a layup and a 3-pointer on successive possessions to put Colorado up 42-37 with 8:44 left. Cal closed to within a point on a jumper by Mullins but couldn't overtake the Buffaloes, who got a clutch 3-pointer from Dominique Collier to pull ahead by four with 2:36 left.
A pair of free throws by Johnson helped to offset three consecutive free throws by Bird with 49.6 seconds left before White somehow drained a twisting 3-pointer in the face of defensive pressure.
Cal led 25-22 at halftime as both teams struggled to establish themselves offensively, with neither team scoring during a nearly 5 1/2 minute stretch. Mullins broke the spell by connecting on a 3-pointer, but Johnson kept Colorado close by banking in a jumper just before the halftime buzzer sounded.
BIG PICTURE
California: The Golden Bears' trademark defense was on display throughout the game against the Buffaloes but their offense failed to do its part. Cal, coming off a 30-point loss at Utah in which it was held to 44 points, shot just 27.3 percent from the field.
Colorado: The Buffaloes have come around as a team down the stretch. Since starting conference play with seven straight losses, the Buffaloes have gone 8-3 in one of the more dramatic turnarounds in the school's history.
UP NEXT
California: The Bears head to the Pac-12 Tournament, which starts Wednesday in Las Vegas.
Colorado: The Buffaloes next play on Wednesday at the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas.
