After trailing by double digits most of the night, there was a moment late in the fourth quarter when it felt like Cal Poly Women’s Basketball might rewrite the ending to their third straight loss. The Mustangs had cut Eastern Washington’s lead to just seven on a Jordan Billing jumper with 1:20 remaining, the closest they had been since early in the third. The bench stood, the energy rose, and the possibility of a momentum-shifting comeback flickered.
But like so much of the young season, the surge came just a few possessions too late.
Cal Poly fell 67-78 Monday night on the road to Eastern Washington, dropping its third straight game and moving to 1-3 overall. The loss marks the team’s second double-digit defeat after falling to Stanford last week, and once again, the final score reflected a game where the Mustangs fought hard but couldn’t string together consistent stops.
Vanessa McManus led Cal Poly with 22 points, going 12-for-15 at the free-throw line while adding five rebounds in 34 minutes. Charish Thompson followed with 14 points, 10 of which came from the line, and four assists. Billing gave the Mustangs a needed spark off the bench, scoring 10 points and hitting four of her eight attempts from the field.
Cal Poly’s offensive leaders were matched and repeatedly overwhelmed by a balanced and physical Eastern Washington group that controlled the pace, especially in the third quarter.
In every loss this season, Cal Poly has had at least one quarter allowing more than 25 points, a pattern that continued Monday. On Monday, there were signs of growth, as the ball movement improved throughout the second half. Thompson settled more comfortably into her facilitator role, and Billing’s production off the bench suggested another scoring option was emerging. McManus’ ability to manufacture points at the line also gives the Mustangs a reliable outlet when shots aren’t falling.
Still, the reality remains: Cal Poly has not yet played four complete quarters of winning basketball. This game reminds us that only two rotation players returned from last season, and for a roster still learning to play together, the flashes of cohesion must soon become full-game execution if the Mustangs hope to avoid digging a deeper early-season hole.
They’ll have a chance to reset at home this week when they return to Mott Athletics Center on Thursday, Nov. 21 to face Southern Utah in a game that now carries added weight. A win would steady the season before nonconference play accelerates into December. A loss would add another layer of urgency.
If Monday’s late push is any indication, the Mustangs believe they’re close. Now, they’ll try to prove it in front of their home crowd.