GAME NOTES: A pair of Golden State foes mix it up on Sunday, as the California Golden Bears pay a visit to the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Save Mart Center.

California has had an enjoyable ride through its first five games. Not only did it knock off Syracuse during the 2K Sports Classic, but the squad has come out on top in four of its five contests overall, including a 72-52 rout of Cal Poly on Wednesday. The Bears will return home to host Montana in their next outing.

Fresno State has not been so lucky. The Bulldogs are returning from an empty trip at the Gulf Coast Showcase, where they were handed losses by Evansville (58-52), East Carolina (58-52) and Marist (68-64). They have lost four straight overall and limp in with a 1-5 mark. They will host UC Irvine in their next contest.

These teams met last season as well, and California earned a 67-56 victory in that matchup, improving its series lead to 4-2 in the process.

The Golden Bears were dominant at both ends of the floor in their 20-point romp over Cal Poly. They made 47.3 percent of their own shots from the floor, while limiting the Mustangs to 34.6 percent. They also enjoyed a massive 44-27 advantage on the glass. Jabari Bird only had one rebound, but he paced the offensive showing with 18 points. Tyrone Wallace (16 points, eight rebounds, five assists) and Christian Behrens (eight points, nine rebounds) also played well.

The effort the Golden Bears put forth against Cal Poly has been the norm for them early on, as they are surrendering a mere 59.6 points per game on 35.1 percent shooting, ranking 21st in the country in the latter category, for what that's worth this early in the season. They also are scoring at an efficient rate (76.8 ppg, .474 FG percentage). Jordan Mathews (17 ppg) is actually the leading scorer for the squad, although Wallace (16 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 5.2 apg) is a more dynamic playmaker, leading the team in rebounds and assists, while scoring plenty on his own. Bird (13.2 ppg, .565 FG percentage) is shooting well, and David Kravish (11.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.2 bpg) brings it on the interior.

Fresno State trailed by as many as 20 points against Marist, but it managed to slice that deficit to two with 10 seconds to play on a layup by Marvelle Harris. However, a pair of Marist free-throws five seconds later spoiled the valiant comeback bid. Harris finished with 17 points, six rebounds and as many assists in the losing effort.

Harris (13 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4 apg) has been the quite the versatile performer for the Bulldogs. He leads the team in rebounds and assists, and ranks second in scoring, although he is connecting on only 39.7 percent of his shots from the floor. Julien Lewis (16 ppg) is only shooting marginally better (.402 FG percentage), but it has been enough to lead the team in scoring. Karachi Edo (11.3 ppg) and Paul Watson (10.8 ppg) also are averaging in double figures.

Other than being the home team, Fresno State does not have any clear advantage in this contest. Expect the Golden Bears to roll.