By JANIE McCAULEY AP Sports Writer

SAN FRANCISCO — This was not the kind of showing Mick Cronin wanted to see from his team with Big Ten play right around the corner.

Chris Bell had 22 points and six rebounds and was named Most Outstanding Player, Dai Dai Ames hit two late 3-pointers on the way to 14 points, and Cal handed Cronin’s 18th-ranked UCLA squad an 80-72 defeat on Tuesday night in the Empire Classic championship game at the Chase Center.

Trent Perry scored 19 points and Eric Dailey Jr. added 17 for UCLA (5-2), but the Bruins cost themselves by shooting just 13 for 23 at the free-throw line in a matchup of the longtime Pac-12 Conference opponents. Skyy Clark was held to seven points and limited because of foul trouble.

It was UCLA’s last game before its Big Ten opener at Washi

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