Junior Hamad Mousa led the Mustangs in scoring again with a game-high 19 points as Cal Poly beat Idaho 83-74 Friday night at ICCU Arena in Moscow, Idaho. This was the Mustangs’ first victory in Moscow since Jan. 31, 2002.
Sophomore Jess Esso Essis added a career-high 16 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Austin Goode scored 13 points. Senior Jake Davis provided a nice spark off the bench, scoring 11 points and grabbing six rebounds.
Cal Poly’s depth and second-half ball security proved to be the difference in this one. The Mustangs bench outscored Idaho’s 21-2, while Cal Poly committed just one turnover after halftime compared to six by the Vandals.
Davis helped Cal Poly get off to a good start, hitting two three-pointers during an 11-5 run that gave the Mustangs a nine-point lead midway through the first half. Idaho cut the deficit to two points twice late in the period, but Davis scored four points in the final minute to send Cal Poly into halftime with a 38-32 lead.
Cal Poly came out firing in the second half. Goode knocked down two three-pointers and Cayden Ward added another during the first minute and a half, pushing the Mustang lead to 47-35.
Idaho came crawling back and later cut the lead to three with just 3:30 remaining, but Cal Poly answered. Ali Assran and Gusman Vasilic came up clutch with some big shots to push the lead back up and force the Vandals to foul. Down the stretch, the Mustangs finished 6-for-6 from the line to ultimately put the dagger in and seal the nine-point win.
Cal Poly finishes its road trip Sunday at Montana State at 3 P.M.