California Golden Bears Defeat Columbia Lions 74-56
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 5:00 PM ET · Haas Pavilion
California Golden Bears 74, Columbia Lions 56, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Columbia Lions vs California Golden Bears?
California Golden Bears beat Columbia Lions 74-56 at Haas Pavilion on December 21, 2025.
Who was favored in Columbia Lions vs California Golden Bears?
California Golden Bears were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -410 (about 80% implied). The favorite won.
The California Golden Bears showcased their dominance at Haas Pavilion with a decisive 74-56 victory over the Columbia Lions. This win extends California's impressive home record to 13-1, further solidifying their status as a formidable team this season. The Golden Bears have been on an impressive run, winning their last eight games, and their recent performance has seen them average 84.2 points per game while allowing just 68.4. In contrast, Columbia's recent form shows a record of 8-2 over their last ten games, though they are coming off a loss to Stony Brook, which snapped a winning streak.
California's home record stands at 9-0 this season, demonstrating their strength on their home court, while Columbia has struggled away, posting a 2-2 record in such games. The Golden Bears' scoring prowess has been evident, with their last five games averaging 83.0 points scored, while they have allowed an average of 64.8 points. On the other hand, Columbia has been slightly less prolific in their recent outings, averaging 87.2 points over their last five games but allowing 66.6 points.
The matchup was particularly interesting given the teams' contrasting recent performances. California's last game before facing Columbia was a resounding 97-50 win against Morgan State, where they demonstrated their offensive capabilities. Columbia, however, faced a tougher challenge in their last outing, losing 73-77 to Stony Brook, which may have affected their confidence going into this game.
In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any players missing from either team, suggesting that both squads were at full strength for this contest. This factor often plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of games, and both teams were able to field their best lineups.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had California favored by 8.5 points, with a total set at 153.5. The odds reflected California's strong home form and recent winning streak, positioning them as the clear favorites. The moneyline odds were -410 for California and +320 for Columbia, indicating a significant expectation of a Golden Bears victory.
The game conditions were favorable for both teams, with no reported adverse weather or venue issues affecting play. As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a display of California's efficient scoring and solid defense, which ultimately led to their comfortable win.
Key moments in the game included several scoring plays in the second half that helped California maintain their lead. Notably, Connor Igoe made a layup to push the score to 68-54, followed by free throws from John Camden and Dai Dai Ames, which extended their lead further. Columbia's efforts to close the gap were thwarted by California's consistent scoring, culminating in a final score of 74-56.
Overall, the matchup highlighted California's strong home advantage and their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, while Columbia will need to regroup and address their recent struggles as they head into future games.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | CAL -8.5 | 153.5 o -105 / u -115 | Columbia Lions +320 · California Golden Bears -410 |
Leaders
- PointsDai Dai Ames21California Golden Bears
- AssistsJustin Pippen5California Golden Bears
- ReboundsLee Dort14California Golden Bears
- PointsConnor Igoe16Columbia Lions
- AssistsKenny Noland4Columbia Lions
- ReboundsKenny Noland7Columbia Lions
Recent form
California Golden Bears
Last 10: 9-1Streak W884.2 scored · 68.4 allowed per game9-0 at home
- W97-50vs Morgan State BearsDec 20
- W79-70vs Northwestern State DemonsDec 13
- W93-71vs Dominican (CA) PenguinsDec 10
- W67-61vs Pacific TigersDec 6
- W79-72vs Utah UtesDec 3
- W80-72vs UCLA BruinsNov 26
- W91-67vs Sacramento State HornetsNov 22
- W67-57vs Presbyterian Blue HoseNov 19
- L96-99at Kansas State WildcatsNov 14
- W93-65vs Cal State Fullerton TitansNov 11
Columbia Lions
Last 10: 8-2Streak L181.5 scored · 68 allowed per game2-2 away
- L73-77at Stony Brook SeawolvesDec 10
- W93-65vs UAlbany Great DanesDec 6
- W72-70vs Hofstra PrideDec 4
- W92-44vs Sarah Lawrence GryphonsNov 29
- W106-77at Fairfield StagsNov 27
- W95-70vs Longwood LancersNov 23
- W82-67at Lehigh Mountain HawksNov 21
- W54-49vs Boston University TerriersNov 19
- W86-72vs UMass Lowell River HawksNov 14
- L62-89at UConn HuskiesNov 10
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yale | 24-7 | - | 11-3 |
| Harvard | 17-12 | 1 | 10-4 |
| Pennsylvania | 18-12 | 2 | 9-5 |
| Cornell | 15-13 | 3 | 8-6 |
| Columbia | 16-12 | 6 | 5-9 |
| Dartmouth | 11-16 | 6 | 5-9 |
| Princeton | 9-20 | 6 | 5-9 |
| Brown | 9-18 | 8 | 3-11 |
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Columbia Lions | California Golden Bears |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-55 | 24-57 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 42 |
| Three-pointers | 4-17 | 7-21 |
| Three-point % | 24 | 33 |
| Free throws | 6-12 | 19-24 |
| Free throw % | 50 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 34 | 34 |
| Offensive rebounds | 8 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 26 |
| Assists | 12 | 14 |
| Steals | 5 | 7 |
| Blocks | 2 | 6 |
| Turnovers | 15 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 4 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 30 |
| Fouls | 19 | 13 |
| Largest lead | 0 | 21 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 0 | 96 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half22-33Lee Dort makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half24-33Blair Thompson makes 6-foot dunk (Ryan Soulis assists)
- 2nd Half24-35Lee Dort makes 5-foot alley oop dunk (Justin Pippen assists)
- 2nd Half26-35Mason Ritter makes 3-foot dunk (Gerard O'Keefe assists)
- 2nd Half26-38John Camden makes 24-foot three point jumper (Justin Pippen assists)
- 2nd Half28-38Connor Igoe makes layup
- 2nd Half28-40John Camden makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half30-40Connor Igoe makes layup (Mason Ritter assists)
- 2nd Half30-42Milos Ilic makes layup
- 2nd Half30-44John Camden makes 14-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half32-44Connor Igoe makes driving layup
- 2nd Half32-46Chris Bell makes layup (Dai Dai Ames assists)
- 2nd Half35-46Gerard O'Keefe makes 23-foot three point jumper (Hampton Sanders assists)
- 2nd Half35-48Dai Dai Ames makes layup (Milos Ilic assists)
- 2nd Half35-50Nolan Dorsey makes layup (Milos Ilic assists)
- 2nd Half35-53Justin Pippen makes 25-foot three point jumper (Semetri Carr assists)
- 2nd Half35-56John Camden makes 27-foot three point jumper (Justin Pippen assists)
- 2nd Half37-56Miles Franklin makes 15-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half37-58Semetri Carr makes layup (Justin Pippen assists)
- 2nd Half39-58Blair Thompson makes 2-foot dunk (Kenny Noland assists)
- 2nd Half41-58Kenny Noland makes layup
- 2nd Half42-58Mason Ritter makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-58Mason Ritter makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-60Justin Pippen makes driving layup
- 2nd Half43-63Justin Pippen makes 25-foot three point jumper (Lee Dort assists)
- 2nd Half46-63Kenny Noland makes 24-foot three point jumper (Connor Igoe assists)
- 2nd Half47-63Connor Igoe makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-65Dai Dai Ames makes driving layup
- 2nd Half49-65Hampton Sanders makes driving layup
- 2nd Half51-65Connor Igoe makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-65Connor Igoe makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half52-68Dai Dai Ames makes 23-foot three point jumper (John Camden assists)
- 2nd Half54-68Connor Igoe makes layup
- 2nd Half54-69John Camden makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-70John Camden makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-71Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-72Dai Dai Ames makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-72Connor Igoe makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-73Semetri Carr makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-74Semetri Carr makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours California Golden Bears, below favours Columbia Lions.
Venue
- Haas PavilionBerkeley, CA
- Attendance3283
- OfficialsDeron White, Jason Garretson, De Selle Dean
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