Cal Poly Women’s Basketball opened its 2026-27 season with a 79-38 non-conference victory against UC Merced at Mott Athletic Center.
Cal Poly (1-0) handed UC Merced (0-1) a 41-point loss with a dominant defensive performance and a strong second half to secure its first win of the season.
The Mustangs held the Bobcats to just four points in the opening quarter, taking a 13-4 lead into the second. Cal Poly continued to build its advantage before halftime, heading into the break up 29-19.
In the third quarter, Cal Poly limited the Bobcats to just two points. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Mustangs carried a 50-21 advantage and added another 29 points to close out the game.
Head Coach Shanele Stires said the team’s consistency and defensive intensity were key priorities heading into the season, especially as the team dealt with injuries.
“We’ve been talking a lot the last couple weeks about just 40 minutes of effort and intensity,” Stires said. “I feel like tonight we kind of rang the bell with bringing that level of effort and intensity.”
Junior forward Dessi Ulmer led the Mustangs with 17 points. Ulmer’s presence in the paint was felt, as she recorded a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Despite the offensive production, the Mustangs credited their defensive energy as the foundation of their performance.
Sophomore guard Ysabella Von Seipler said imprinting their defensive identity on their opponents is how they want to play all the time.
“We made a lot of leaps and bounds, and I think that overall it was electric and we want to play in that environment all the time.”
The Mustangs are a new team this season, with a younger group of returning players and an older group of transfers.
Yet, Ulmer said that doesn’t affect their team chemistry on the court.
“I feel like a family here; I’ve never been on a team like this, and I feel like our chemistry is amazing.”
Cal Poly continues its season on Thursday, Nov. 5th, against Whittier College at Mott Athletic Center.