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It wasn’t easy, but California overcame a halftime deficit to beat Yale 76-62 in the first round of the Golden Bear Classic Friday night in Haas Pavilion. 

Senior forward Sean Lampley scored 11 of his team-high 19 points in the second half as the Golden Bears fought back after trailing by four points at halftime. They improved their season record to 7-3 with their sixth consecutive victory. 

“I think we came out a little lax,” Lampley said. “I think we expected just to win probably because of their record or what league they are from. I knew from the get go that any team needs to prepare for any game the same way.” 

California, a heavy favorite going into the game, was outshot and outrebounded by Yale in the first half. The Golden Bears led by as much as seven late in the first half before the Bulldogs nailed three-pointers on three of their last four possessions.  

The Bulldogs now have a three-game losing streak and their season record fell to 2-7 with the loss. 

Yale kept the score close throughout the first half with strong shooting, especially beyond the arc. The team made 45 percent of its shots and 62 percent of its three-point field goals in the first half. However, as they failed to make shots in the second, Cal pulled away. 

“We didn’t have the effort in the first half,” said junior forward Ryan Forehan-Kelly, who finished with 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting. “In the second half we came out harder and tried to get every loose ball and every rebound.” 

In the second half the Bears made 60 percent of their shots and forced nine Yale turnovers. They caught up early in the half and regained the lead, 43-42, with 16 minutes and 27 seconds left in the game. After senior center Neil Yanke scored on the Bulldogs’ next possession, Cal guard Brian Wethers converted on a layup to take a lead the Golden Bears would not give up for the remainder of the game. 

“In the second half we played better, but we still weren’t playing up to our capabilities,” Lampley said.  

Cal began to pull away late in the game when Forehan-Kelly made his fifth three pointer of the game with 4:17 left on the clock to go ahead 68-15. 

“We gave them a little trouble for a little while,” Yale coach James Jones said. “I thought what the difference was they kind of stepped it up on the offensive glass.” 

The Bears outrebounded the Bulldogs 17-10 in the second half. 

Junior center Solomon Hughes scored 11 points for the Bears and Wethers added 10. Chris Leanza led Yale with 20 points and six assists. 

The Golden Bears, looking to win their fourth Golden Bear Classic in the last five years, host 6-4 LaSalle Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the championship game. LaSalle beat Lafayette 81-78.