Cal Beats Illinois-Chicago in NIT Opener

Senior forward Justin Bell scores career-high 31 points in 91-73 victory

Mar. 19, 2026 at 5:34am

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Senior forward Justin Bell scored a career-high 31 points, including seven 3-pointers, to lead the Cal Bears to a 91-73 win over Illinois-Chicago in the first round of the NIT tournament at Haas Pavilion. The Bears, making their first postseason appearance since 2016, led by just four points at halftime but pulled away in the second half to secure the victory.

Why it matters

The win marks an important milestone for the Cal men's basketball program, which is looking to build momentum after missing the NCAA Tournament in recent years. The Bears' strong performance against a solid Illinois-Chicago team suggests they could make a deep run in the NIT.

The details

Cal led 39-35 at halftime, but Illinois-Chicago briefly took the lead early in the second half. The Bears then regained control, stretching their advantage to double digits before the Flames closed to within 63-60 with 7:25 remaining. Cal then went on a 12-2 run to seize control for good. In addition to Bell's 31 points, Justin Pippen scored 18 and John Camden added 13 for the Bears.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2026.

The players

Justin Bell

A senior forward for the Cal Bears who scored a career-high 31 points, including seven 3-pointers, in the win over Illinois-Chicago.

Justin Pippen

A Cal Bears player who scored 18 points in the victory.

John Camden

A Cal Bears player who scored 13 points in the game.

Rashund Washington Jr.

The leading scorer for Illinois-Chicago with 15 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“This win is a big step forward for our program. We're excited to keep playing in the NIT and build some momentum heading into next season.”

— Justin Bell, Senior Forward, Cal Bears

What’s next

The Cal Bears will host St. Joseph's in the second round of the NIT on Saturday or Sunday.

The takeaway

The Cal Bears' strong performance in the NIT opener suggests the program is headed in the right direction after missing the NCAA Tournament in recent years. With senior leader Justin Bell leading the way, the Bears have a chance to make a deep run in the NIT and establish themselves as a team to watch next season.