Desperately needing a win to regain momentum in the Big West playoff picture, Cal Poly Men’s Basketball took out their frustrations against CSU Bakersfield on Thursday.
The Mustangs (8-14, 4-6 Big West) took an early lead and buried the Roadrunners (8-14, 2-8 Big West) 104-79, behind Troy Plumtree’s 31 points off the bench.
Cal Poly took a back and forth battle through the first ten minutes and dominated the last 30 minutes of the contest.
After a loss last Saturday to Fullerton, head coach Mike DeGeorge said that when teams start losing they either lose confidence or try to be the solution themselves.
READ MORE: “Big West play continues to prove difficult as Cal Poly Men’s Basketball falls to Fullerton”
Against Bakersfield the team was confident and accurate. The Mustangs shot 55% from the floor and went a program best 20-20 from the free throw line. Strong defense turned to easy offense as ten steals turned into 23 points the other way.
No one tried to do it all by themselves either, with a season high 24 assists dished out as a team.
Sophomores Peter Bandelj and Cayden Ward have each taken massive strides in their playmaking abilities. Accurate passes out of the pick and roll have become more commonplace as the offense finds its rhythm after a midseason slump.
Almost everybody got in on the scoring action. The Mustangs, who have had issues with bench scoring all season long, had 63 of their 104 points come from the reserves on Thursday. Along with Plumtree’s 31, Jackson Mosley and Aaron Price Jr. each had double digit scoring.
Hamad Mousa, Ward and Bandelj all scored less than their season averages, but when you get that much contribution from your bench, those off nights won’t sink the team.
Cal Poly has a chance to end the month on a high note as they head to UC Riverside, on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. to face the Highlanders. Last time Cal Poly played against the Highlanders they fell 88-84 at Mott Athletic Center.