BearTalk

When Cal lost 75-69 at Stanford last month, its bench provided almost nothing: 4 points and 5 rebounds.

Things weren’t any better two weeks ago in the Bears’ 73-62 loss at USC: 8 points and 6 rebounds from the reserves.

Coach Mike Montgomery said he felt like he had nowhere to turn.

But the backups delivered last weekend in Cal’s home sweep of the Washington schools, and Montgomery is hoping they continue to thrive Saturday against Stanford at Haas Pavilion. The threesome of Jorge Gutierrez, Harper Kamp and Omondi Amoke combined for 12 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Washington State, then 14 points and seven rebounds vs. Washington.

“Jorge had a good weekend. Omondi came in and gave us a good lift. If he would just slow down and finish plays, he could help us, give us a smaller, quicker, more active guy inside. Of course, Harper was good,” Montgomery said this week. “So we had three guys who came in and gave us pretty good energy.”

Washington State coach Tony Bennett was especially impressed by sophomore forward Kamp and freshman guard Gutierrez.

“They really understand their roles — Kamp is very physical and is improving as a second year player. He knows his role with those talented perimeter players is getting them open,” Bennett said. “Gutierrez is just such an emotional energy guy — when he scores baskets for them, what a bonus for them.

“Those two in particular, (when they come in) you can feel the crowd, the crowd loves them. They play with a lot of passion.”

Gutierrez has shown no fear from the first time he stepped on the court this season. And he loves doing the dirty work at the defensive end.

“You can see it in his eyes when he comes out, in his posture. He loves to defend, he loves the challenge,” Bennett said.  ”He does more than make just the occasional shot. He embraces that role of locking people up and being an X factor.”

Montgomery was pleased to see Gutierrez bounce back after a tough weekend in L.A., where he had three turnovers and just one basket in two games and fouled out vs. USC. Montgomery wasn’t sure how he’s respond against Washington start.

He played calmer and with more confidence against the Washington schools, totaling 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and zero turnovers in 36 minutes in the two victories.

“He hadn’t had a real good week of practice. He was a little discouraged. But he came in and played pretty well,” Monty said. “He’s just a freshman and this league’s pretty tough and everybody provides a little different dilemma to deal with.

“But it’s probably a little easier at home. At least you get some pick-me-up from the crowd.”