The California Golden Bears secured a vital Atlantic Coast Conference victory on Wednesday night, defeating Georgia Tech 78-70 at Haas Pavilion. The catalyst for the win was sophomore point guard Dai Dai Ames, who put on a scoring clinic to finish with a career-high 29 points. Ames was masterful in the pick-and-roll, repeatedly finding gaps in the Yellow Jackets' defense and finishing with a variety of floaters and contested layups that left the Georgia Tech bench searching for answers.

Cal’s transition to the ACC has been a journey of ups and downs, but performances like this suggest the program is heading in the right direction under Mark Madsen. The Golden Bears utilized a high-pressure defensive scheme that forced Georgia Tech into 15 turnovers, many of which led to easy baskets for Ames and his backcourt partner Andrej Stojakovic. Cal’s ability to protect the rim was also a factor, as the Golden Bears recorded seven blocks, making life difficult for the Yellow Jackets' interior scorers.

Georgia Tech came into the game looking to build on a recent win, but they struggled with shooting consistency throughout the night. Baye Ndongo was a bright spot for the Yellow Jackets, posting 18 points and 9 rebounds, but the team’s 22% shooting from three-point range hampered their ability to mount a sustained run. Every time Georgia Tech cut the lead to a single possession, Dai Dai Ames seemed to have an answer, whether it was a clutch jump shot or a pinpoint assist to a cutting teammate.

The roster for Cal has shown significant improvement in depth this season. Mady Sissoko provided veteran leadership in the paint, while freshman wings have added much-needed athleticism on the perimeter. The Golden Bears currently hold a 16-8 record, keeping them in the hunt for an upper-half finish in the expanded ACC. Their team stats highlight a much-improved defensive efficiency rating compared to last season, a hallmark of Madsen’s coaching philosophy that has resonated with this group.

As the Golden Bears look forward to their next matchup, the confidence of Ames will be a key factor. Scoring 29 points in a high-stakes conference game is a breakout moment that could propel Cal into a strong postseason push. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, falls to 13-11 and will need to sharpen their perimeter shooting if they hope to climb back into the tournament conversation. For now, the night belongs to the Golden Bears and their dynamic lead guard.