Cal Poly Men’s Basketball’s lack of offensive efficiency continued as the Mustangs lost their 12th straight game, 78-65, against the Cal State Northridge Matadors (15-9, 6-6) on Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Premier America Credit Union Arena.
The Mustangs (4-20, 0-12 Big West) have lost their third straight to the Matadors dating back to last season and are 14-15 against them in match-ups since 2011.
The Mustangs gave the Matadors a solid fight in the first half and eventually led the game in the first fifteen minutes of the half. The Mustangs found themselves only down by three, 30-33 at the half.
However, the Matadors opened up the third with a 13-0 run and blew the game open. The Mustangs were not able to recover and make their own run, as the Matadors held a comfortable lead for the rest of the game. The Mustangs were down 14 with four minutes and couldn’t mount a comeback.
Cal State Northridge junior Dionte Bostick led the way for the Matadors, scoring 23 points on 9-12 shooting from the field.
The Mustangs shot 37.5% from the field, three percent less than their season average of 40%. Cal Poly’s leading scorer. Senior Kobe Sanders struggled from the field, scoring 10 points on 2-10 shooting. Despite leading the team in scoring, Sanders has had his share of inefficient shooting numbers this season.
Cal Poly graduate student Tuukka Jaakkola had 12 points on 5-6 shooting, which was one of the most efficient games he has had all season.
The Mustangs travel to Long Beach on Saturday, Feb. 10, to face Long Beach State as they look to go 1-1 on this road trip. Following the matchup against the Beach, the Mustangs will return home on Feb. 15 to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.