Cal Poly Basketball Teams Face Dramatic Big West Championship Showdown

HENDERSON, Nevada — The Cal Poly Mustangs are in the thick of competition at the Big West Basketball Championships, with both the men’s and women’s teams vying for semifinal berths. The women’s basketball squad faced a challenging quarterfinal clash against UC San Diego, ultimately leading to a heartbreaking exit as they fell 57-54. Meanwhile, the men’s team is set to continue their playoff journey after a resounding 96-83 victory over UC Riverside.

The women’s team put forth a valiant effort but were unable to secure their spot in the semifinals. After a sluggish performance in the closing moments of the game, they saw UC San Diego score the final points that sealed their fate. Freshman forward Sumayah Sugapong was pivotal for the Tritons, scoring 23 points, including a crucial mid-range jumper that gave UC San Diego its first lead with just over a minute left in the game.

On the other hand, the Cal Poly men’s basketball team emerged victorious in their quarterfinal matchup. They face off against the second-seed UC Irvine tonight at 8:30 p.m. while looking to build on their momentum from yesterday’s match against UC Davis. The Mustangs prevailed 96-83, despite missing key players like Owen Koonce and graduate guard Mac Riniker due to foul trouble.

In the decisive game against UC Riverside, freshman guard Cayden Ward and graduate guard Jarred Hyder led the charge for the Mustangs. Hyder made several key three-pointers, hitting 50% from beyond the arc and contributing significantly to their offensive efforts. Cal Poly displayed an impressive three-point shooting percentage of 50% throughout the game, further complicating matters for the Highlanders.

“We executed really well against the defense,” Hyder said in a post-game interview. “Staying patient and finding the open looks helped us a lot.”

Earlier in the game, the Mustangs had battled their way back from a deficit created by an 8-0 scoring run from UC Riverside, ultimately maintaining control as they entered the second half with a slim lead. Bandelj’s shooting, along with Cal Poly’s tenacity, proved crucial in extending their lead late in the game.

As the clock wound down, the Mustangs secured their advancement to the semifinals with a combination of solid defense and opportunistic scoring. “It’s all about moving forward. We’ve had highs and lows, but we need to stay focused on the next game,” head coach Mike DeGeorge remarked after the game.

The stakes will only get higher as the men’s team goes up against UC Irvine, aiming to capitalize on their recent success and continue their journey through the championship.

Meanwhile, the women’s team aims to regroup and learn from their experiences in this tournament as they set their sights on next season.