Charlie Moore helps Cal get past Princeton in Hawaii

Moore, a freshman point guard, scored 15 points to lead four players in double figures to help Cal pull away from Princeton 62-51 in the Pearl Harbor Invitational on Tuesday.

“Coach told me to assert myself a little bit more on the offensive end in the second half and make sure we execute the offense,” Moore said.

Jabari Bird, returning after a six-game absence because of back spasms, scored 11 of his 13 points after halftime and Sam Singer and Grant Mullins added 11 points apiece for the Bears.

Princeton took a 46-44 lead following Henry Caruso’s three-pointer with 7:45 left to play, but Cal answered with an 11-1 run that was capped by a backdoor reverse layup by Bird off an assist from Moore.

“I thought they made some really big plays down the stretch — about three or four big plays and we really struggled in that little window there, and that was the difference in the game,” Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson said.

The Golden Bears went 10-for-23 from the free-throw line.