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BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California coach Cuonzo Martin is adamant that Charlie Moore has to do a better job handling the ball and Martin has repeatedly emphasized that to his freshman point guard.
As long as Moore keeps scoring like he is, though, Martin and the Golden Bears are willing to live with the occasional turnover — even on a night when he had five of them.
Moore scored 22 points including a banked 3-pointer from just inside halfcourt and California beat UC Davis 86-61 on Saturday.
"You have to take care of the ball, especially at the point guard position," Martin said. "He makes adjustments because he watches film all the time. He understands it. He's not out there making turnovers just to make them. He's trying to make plays, and as long as he's aggressive that's fine."
Moore, who has been starting all season, led California on an 18-3 run in the first half with a pair of steals and two layups. He later scored off another Davis turnover later in the half before banking in a 45-foot buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
"It felt good when I released it," Moore said. "That's why I followed through and ran down the court with it. I was just trying to make sure I hit it."
Moore finished with four steals to overcome his five turnovers.
Grant Mullins added 17 points and four rebounds to help make up for an off night by Ivan Rabb as the Golden Bears (8-2) won their 26th consecutive home game, matching the longest streak in school history.
The Bears' winning streak is the fourth-longest in the nation and matches the record set from Dec. 27, 1958-Dec. 16, 1960. California last lost at Haas Pavilion to Oregon on Feb. 25, 2015.
"In most cases with players those things don't set in until they leave school years later," Martin said. "It's a good thing but still, a lot of work to be done."
Davis committed 21 turnovers and put up little resistance in the first game between the two teams since 2010.
Chima Moneke had a career-high 24 points and 10 rebounds, and Brynton Lemar scored 14 for the Aggies (5-5), who closed within 44-30 early in the second half before the Bears pulled away.
BIG PICTURE
Davis has to be feeling good as it nears the end of its seven-game road trip — the team's longest since moving to Division I in 2008. Although they were outsized and a step slower for most of the game the Aggies showed some grit coming out of halftime and kept it interesting. Had they played that way the entire night the outcome might have been different. As it is, second-year coach Jim Les' squad has dropped three of four.
California was out of sync much of the night and, despite the score, couldn't put Davis away until late in the second half. That's been an ongoing issue for the Bears and one that could be a problem with the Pac-12 portion of the schedule coming up. Good thing the young players came up big. Rabb was uneven with his shot and was hindered with foul trouble. Bird gave the Bears an early spark then fizzled out.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Rabb, the Bears' leading rebounder and third-highest scorer, had an uneven night shooting was held to six points and four rebounds before fouling out late in the second half. . California leads the all-time series against Davis 32-0. . Davis scored only 18 points in the first half. . The Aggies, who hadn't played since Dec. 3, have lost three straight for the first time this season.
UP NEXT
Davis: The Aggies travel to North Dakota State on Wednesday.
California: The Bears get a break after playing four games in seven days and will host Cal Poly on Saturday.
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