After a win against Cal State Fullerton on Thursday night, Cal Poly women’s basketball clinched its spot in the Big West Tournament in Henderson, Nev., as the No. 8 seed.
The Mustangs (13-17, 8-12 Big West) battled through a season filled with ups and downs, finishing conference play with just enough wins to secure the final playoff in the bracket.
One of the biggest storylines of the season has been turnovers. Cal Poly has struggled with ball control throughout the season, with their mistakes often leading to easy transition points for opponents.
It’s no surprise that after a final week of practice preparing for the tournament, the Mustangs’ biggest focus has been limiting turnovers. All season long, giveaways have been a recurring issue, often putting Cal Poly in difficult positions against opponents.
“It’s about getting rid of those bad habits a lot of us have,” senior guard Annika Shah said. “Working on ball handling and passing against pressure during practice is going to help us, but we just gotta stay consistent.”
A third straight postseason under Stires
Under third-year Head Coach Shanele Stires, the Mustangs are making their third straight postseason appearance, all of which they’ve lost. They are set to face Blue-Green rival and No. 5 UC Santa Barbara in the first round.
After last year’s postseason run ended in a quarterfinal loss to UC Davis, the Mustangs are looking to build on that experience. Knowing the pressure of the postseason all too well, they are focused on addressing key weaknesses to extend their stay in Henderson.
Sophomore center Mary Carter said making smart decisions down the stretch will ultimately determine how long a run the Mustangs can make in the Big West Tournament.
Shah emphasized that executing under pressure, taking care of the ball and staying composed during key moments will be crucial as Cal Poly faces the Gauchos in the first round.
“I believe we work harder than every single team in the conference,” Shah said. “It’s about showing that and playing with that fight and the love that we have for each other.”
The Mustangs are led by a senior-heavy lineup, with three seniors in the starting five pushing their final run together in the postseason.
Senior guard Sydney Bourland and Shah have spent all four years together with the Mustangs and are now entering their final postseason tournament.
Alongside them, Carter is making her second postseason appearance, bringing a strong presence as a post player with the versatility to impact the game in the starting lineup.
Carter’s experience from last year’s tournament, combined with her development this season, will be a key role as she contributes to the team’s effort to make a deeper run, coming off of a career-high 27 points in the Mustangs final regular season game against Long Beach.
“Having bigger games and helping my team win definitely helps instill some confidence and makes me feel like I can contribute,” Carter said.
Previous matchups against UCSB
The Mustangs have faced the Gauchos twice in conference play, splitting the series 1-1. They edged out a one-point victory on the road but fell short by three points in a close game at home.
Shah recently surpassed 1,000 career points and remains the team’s most reliable scorer and ranks among the nation’s top three-point shooters.
She is eight three-pointers away from breaking the Cal Poly all-time three-point scoring record in a single season. If the Mustangs make a deep run in the tournament, Shah has a chance to etch her name in the history books once again.
Keys to victory
While UC Santa Barbara enters the matchup as the favorite, Cal Poly has already shown they can win this battle. But to do it again and keep its season alive in this win-or-go-home scenario, they need to take care of the ball and capitalize on offensive opportunities.
Scoring droughts have been a major hurdle for this Mustang squad, often proving costly, especially when games come down to the wire. These extended dry spells can shift momentum in the opponent’s favor and make it difficult for Cal Poly to close out tight contests.
Cal Poly will need to prevent momentum swings in favor of the opposing team if they hope to make it past the first round. This means being smart with the ball and connecting with the basket.
“Being able to get some revenge after that tough loss here in Mott will be really good for us,” Carter said.
The Mustangs will kick off the Big West Championships with a 12 p.m. tipoff at Lee’s Family Forum on Wednesday, March 12.