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Cal led in nearly every statistical category against Florida International University on Sunday, but in a game littered with poor shot selection, missed layups and general sloppy play, the 30 percent the Bears shot from the field proved to be the difference. 

Although Cal put up more shots and outrebounded FIU, they couldn’t overcome their dismal shooting percentage as the Golden Panthers defeated Cal 57-51 at Haas Pavilion to win the 10th annual Oakland Tribune Classic. 

Cal, who advanced to the championship game by defeating Cal State Northridge on Saturday, shot just 21 percent from the field in the first half and finished the game only marginally better. 

“We missed five layups early in the game,” Cal head coach Caren Horstmeyer said. “That’s hard when you miss easy shots.” 

In fact, after posting 38 first-half points againt Northridge, the Bears managed just 18 in the opening period against FIU on 7-of-33 shooting. The Golden Panthers, meanwhile, didn’t shoot much better at 36 percent, but it was enough to keep Cal out of its offensive rhythm. 

“Their game plan was to play from end line to end line,” said FIU head coach Cindy Russo. “We tried to change the tempo and we were able to do that.” 

The Bears trailed by as many as eight points in the first half before making a run early in the second. Cal grabbed a 31-30 lead with 11:50 left in the game before reserve forward Amber White went down with a possible fractured ankle. Following the game, Horstmeyer said X-rays were being taken of White’s ankle to determine the severity of the injury. 

After the teams traded buckets, FIU’s Mandy Shafer hit a three-pointer and two free throws with less than eight minutes to play to stretch the Golden Panthers’ lead to seven. 

That lead shrunk to four with 1:22 remaining on a pull-up jumper by Cal point guard Courtney Johnson. On the next possession, Cal’s defense forced FIU to take a wild shot as the 30-second clock wound down, but the Bears allowed the Golden Panthers’ Cheryl Moody to come up with the offensive rebound. Her two free throws sealed FIU’s win. 

Cal’s Johnson, who was named to the All Tournament team, carried the Bears against Northridge with 21 points and eight steals. Sunday, however, she hit just 3-of-14 shots for nine points. 

Only seven FIU players saw action against Cal and Shafer and tournament MVP Gergana Slavtcheva played from start to finish. Shafer finished with 10 points while Slavtcheva netted a game-high 18. Two other players scored in double figures for the Golden Panthers. 

“Gergana is a very emotional player,” Russo said. “In her head she’s not a success unless she scores.” 

Cal’s bright spots, meanwhile, were the play of center Ami Forney and reserve guard Latasha O’Keith. In 35 minutes, Forney finished with a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds. Off the bench, O’Keith dropped in a career high 10 points and added five rebounds. 

“Our drives and inside play was really working for us,” said Forney, who was also named to the All tournament team. “For some reason we stopped doing that and settled fo the outside shot. We stopped attacking.” 

The shorter Bears team pressured FIU throughout the game and forced 24 turnovers. But for the second game in a row, Cal’s Lauren Ashbaugh struggled. She scored just nine points in each of Cal’s two tournament games.  

The Golden Panthers were in foul trouble much of the second half as Cormisha Cotten, Ivelina Vrancheva and Moody all played the majority of the half with four personals. 

Cal visits San Francisco on Dec. 8 before returning to Haas Pavilion on Dec. 10 against Santa Clara, Horstmeyer’s former team. Cal’s Johnson, who was named to the All Tournament team, carried the Bears against Northridge with 21 points and eight steals. Sunday, however, she hit just 3-of-14 shots for nine points. 

Only seven FIU players saw action against Cal and Shafer and tournament MVP Gergana Slavtcheva played from start to finish. Shafer finished with 10 points while Slavtcheva netted a game-high 18. Two other players scored in double figures for the Golden Panthers. 

“Gergana is a very emotional player,” Russo said. “In her head she’s not a success unless she scores.” 

Cal’s bright spots, meanwhile, were the play of center Ami Forney and reserve guard Latasha O’Keith. In 35 minutes, Forney finished with a team-high 14 points and nine rebounds. Off the bench, O’Keith dropped in a career high 10 points and added five rebounds. 

“Our drives and inside play was really working for us,” said Forney, who was also named to the All tournament team. “For some reason we stopped doing that and settled fo the outside shot. We stopped attacking.” 

The shorter Bears team pressured FIU throughout the game and forced 24 turnovers. But for the second game in a row, Cal’s Lauren Ashbaugh struggled. She scored just nine points in each of Cal’s two tournament games.  

The Golden Panthers were in foul trouble much of the second half as Cormisha Cotten, Ivelina Vrancheva and Moody all played the majority of the half with four personals. 

Cal visits San Francisco on Dec. 8 before returning to Haas Pavilion on Dec. 10 against Santa Clara, Horstmeyer’s former team.