Mikayla Cowling had a career-high 22 points and the No. 16 California women escaped Saturday with a 77-72 win over Liberty in the South Point Shootout.
Cal (5-1) led by double digits much of the way with its largest lead at 61-43 early in the fourth. When Cowling scored with 5 minutes left, the Bears still led by 16.
The Flames (2-4) scored 13 straight over the next 3:16 to pull within 68-65 but were unable to get closer. Cowling's 3 with 1:27 left put the Bears up by six.
Liberty's Jaymee Fisher-Davis hit a 3 and a layup, but and Cal answered each — Asha Thomas the 3 and Courtney Range the layup — pushing the Bears' lead back to six each time.
Kristine Anigwe added 16 points and Thomas scored 14 for Cal. Ashley Rininger led the Flames with 18 points. Fisher-Davis and Sadalia Ellis added 13.
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