Henderson, Nev. – As the team’s starting lineup reel played on the big screen and the starters were announced, freshman Gabby Robinson’s name echoed through the arena. Redshirt sophomore Sierra Lichtie, momentarily confused by the mix-up, stood waiting for her name to be called as a starter, but it never came.
Once the game started, Lichtie made sure everybody knew her name as she helped propel Cal Poly Women’s Basketball to their first postseason win against UC Santa Barbara to advance to the quarterfinals.
After a nail-biter performance in their opening-round matchup, the Mustangs secured a 56-54 victory and are now moving on to the Big West Championships.
This marks the first playoff win under third-year Head Coach Shanele Stires, as well as the first for every player on the roster.
“I thought that our team wanted the game more,” Stires said. “At the end of the day, that’s what it came down to.”
The Mustangs’ last postseason victory came in the first round of the 2020-2021 season against Long Beach.
Two years later, Stires joined Cal Poly, becoming the program’s seventh head coach.
While Stires has led the Mustangs to the postseason during all her seasons at the helm of the program, their runs had always been short-lived. Only reaching as far as the quarterfinals last season.
Today, however, the Mustangs, considered the underdogs, rose to the occasion, pulling off their first playoff win of the season and looking to carry the momentum to tomorrow’s game against UC San Diego.
Mustangs’ depth shows up as Shah struggles offensively
Although the Mustangs’ sharp shooter senior guard Annika Shah was limited to just five points, the Mustangs handled the pressure and balanced the scoring with key contributions from across the lineup to secure the win.
Lichtie noted that opponents focus on shutting down the team’s top players in postseason play, so they had anticipated Shah drawing extra defensive attention. She highlighted how Shah’s unselfishness on the floor was crucial to the team’s success.
Coach Stires emphasized that advancing in the tournament would require fresh faces stepping up, particularly on the offensive end, a challenge the team has faced all season.
That spark came from Robinson, who provided a crucial boost off the bench, scoring eight points to help lift the Mustangs to victory.
“It’s all about, especially during the postseason, how your bench and how people are going to show up,” Lichtie said.
Lichtie led the Mustangs with a double-double, recording 17 points and 13 rebounds, while sophomore center Mary Carter added another with 12 points and 10 boards.
Cal Poly clings to lead in thrilling final seconds
As the game neared its end down to the wire with the Mustangs clinging to a three-point lead, Lichtie was ejected for the first time in her career in the final seconds.
Despite her absence, the Mustangs held their ground, applying disciplined defense on the Gauchos to maintain control and secure their win.
“I’m over the moon,” Stires said after the Mustangs took round one of the playoffs.
Lichtie and Carter, the only non-seniors in the starting rotation, led the way for the Mustangs in a standout performance.
Their contributions were crucial to Cal Poly’s success, marking a pivotal moment for these young players as they continue to step up for the team, knowing their role is essential as they further their playoff run.
“To see them be able to experience advancing in March helps them understand what it takes to win this tournament,” Stires said. “I think there’s just a lot of positives that we can draw from this game as we get ready to prepare for San Diego tomorrow.”
The Mustangs now look ahead to their quarterfinals matchup against UC San Diego tomorrow on Thursday, March 13 at noon at Lee’s Family Forum.