Cal Poly women’s basketball is on track to make the Big West postseason after a much-needed 57-51 win against Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday.
With only two weeks of play remaining until the Big West playoff tournament, Cal Poly is holding on to the No. 8 seed and final postseason spot.
The Mustangs are two games ahead of Cal State Fullerton, their closest competition.
Against Cal State Bakersfield, with the game tied at 41 apiece in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs found their rhythm and surged ahead.
Sophomore forward Mary Carter’s back-to-back three-pointers sparked the Mustangs’ late-game push, and senior guard Annika Shah’s composure at the free-throw line sealed the deal as Cal Poly pulled away for a victory over CSU Bakersfield.
Carter delivered a standout performance, leading the Mustangs with a career-high 23 points while shooting an efficient 50% from the field. Ending the game with a double-double, she was also a force on the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds and helping the Mustangs maintain control late in the game.
The Roadrunners’ defense locked in on Shah early, holding her to just three points in the first quarter and keeping her off the scoreboard entirely until the fourth.
Shah, who has been a key offensive weapon for the Mustangs all season, struggled to find open looks as Bakersfield applied constant pressure. Despite the early struggles, she found a way to contribute six points in the fourth quarter.
The Mustangs had little trouble adjusting their offensive strategy, partly thanks to redshirt sophomore forward Sierra Lichite, who stepped up with 16 points.
Her ability to create scoring opportunities helped keep Cal Poly’s offense afloat while the Roadrunners focused on shutting down Shah. Lichite’s versatility and efficiency provided a much-needed spark, helping the Mustangs keep the game close.
The Mustangs managed just five points off the bench from freshman guard Gabby Robinson, a low mark compared to the bench’s average contribution throughout the season.
Depth scoring is crucial in high-stakes games when starters can’t carry the load alone. If Cal Poly wants to make a serious postseason run, they’ll need more production from their reserves to provide relief for their key players and maintain offensive momentum.
The Mustangs will be on the road for their next game against Cal State Fullerton on Thursday, March 6 at Titan Gym. A win against Fullerton will guarantee Cal Poly’s spot in the Big West playoff tournament.
The last time these teams faced off, the Mustangs came up just short, falling by three points. Now, they’ll be looking for redemption as they aim to even the season series and build momentum heading into the postseason.
