BERKELEY, Calif. – Washington State suffered a 57-54 heartbreaking defeat at the University of California Monday.

The Cougars (13-8, 4-6 Pac-12) erased a 12-point halftime deficit to take a two-point lead in the final minutes but California (16-5, 8-2 Pac-12) sank its free throws down the stretch to hold off Washington State. Junior guard Lia Galdeira led WSU with 29 points in 37 minutes while fellow junior Dawnyelle Awa scored 10 points and freshman forward Louise Brown grabbed 11 rebounds. Senior guard Tia Presley notched six points and seven rebounds for the Cougars who shot nearly 47 percent in the second half but couldn't get a shot to fall in the final 5:09.

The Golden Bears shot 39 percent from the floor, scored 34 points inside the paint and posted a 13-0 advantage in bench points.

California used a 13-2 run early in the first half to build a double-digit lead. Midway through the half, Galdeira started to heat up, driving into the lane for two, sinking a jumper from the right wing and turning a steal into an easy layup. Despite Galdeira's efforts, the shots didn't fall for WSU for most of half, allowing Cal to take a 31-19 lead at the half.

The Cougars were held to 22 percent shooting in the first half but tallied nine points off of seven Cal turnovers. The Golden Bears shot 42 percent from the field and registered 10 second-chance points. Galdeira led all players with 11 points in the first 20 minutes.

Washington State caught fire in the opening minutes of the second half, starting the second period with six straight points on a pair of Presley runners and an Awa layup. Cal caught a break a few minutes later as Galdeira and Cal player collided while battling for a rebound that resulted in both players falling to the floor. The officials reviewed the play and issued Galdeira a flagrant 1 foul that Cal turned into a free throw and a basket with the extra possession.

Minutes later, Galdeira drained a jumper from the right wing and Cooks sank two free throws to cut the Cal lead to 35-31 at the 16:06 mark. The Golden Bears countered with five straight points but Galdeira came up big, knocking down a three from the right corner in front of the Cougar bench. Galdeira followed with a driving layup and a baseline jumper before Awa hit a three from straight away that brought WSU within three at the 9:22 mark.

Galdeira again led the charge, hitting another three and driving the lane for two to cut the Cal lead to 49-48. Cooks then scored from the low post and Awa gave Washington State its first lead of the game with a runner high off the glass for a 54-52 advantage with 5:09 remaining.

Just as the Cougars made the comeback, shots started to rattle out for WSU and Cal took advantage by knocking down free throws. The Golden Bears answered Awa's bucket with a layup and then hit a free throw for a 55-54 lead with 4:15 left.

Neither team scored for the next four minutes before the Cougars got a stop and quickly got the ball to Galdeira who raced past a couple California players and towards the basket. A Cal defender contested Galdeira's drive and the layup missed wide, resulting in Galdeira and the Cougar bench erupting for a foul call. Cal grabbed the rebound and WSU was forced to foul to stop the clock.

On the ensuing possession, the Cougars got another chance as Cooks made a steal and GAldeira got one more good look at three but the attempt from straight away missed off the back iron. The Golden Bears came up with the rebound and WSU was forced to foul, sending Cal to the free throw line. Cal missed the first of a one-and-one but got the ball back as a scramble for the loose ball resulting in a WSU foul. Cal sank both free throws to push the lead to three with 12 seconds left.

Washington State got another look at three but Galdeira's shot rattled out. The Cougars were to foul once more but Cal missed both free throw attempts. Galdeira got one final look as Galdeira raced to midcourt and fired up a heave that missed right, preserving the 57-54 California victory

The Cougars return to Pullman to host the Oregon schools later this week, the University of Oregon Friday and Oregon State University Sunday.

GAME NOTES

Lia Galdeira scored 29 points to move into fourth in WSU career scoring (1489), passing Marcia Miller and Angie Miller… Galdeira made three steals to pass Shelley Patterson for third in career steals (244)…Galdeira made three 3-pointers to pass Heather Norman for fifth all-time in WSU career 3-PT makes (135) …Tia Presley is tenth all time in career starts with 88.