In a battle between the two highest-scoring teams in the Big West Conference, Cal Poly Men’s Basketball played host to the UC San Diego Tritons, who currently hold the top spot in the Big West, on Thursday, Feb. 20.
The Mustangs (10-17, 4-11 Big West) hung around all game, but in the end, the Tritons’ (23-4, 13-2 Big West) execution proved to be too much, as the Tritons would take this one 81-67 at Mott Athletics Center.
UC San Diego is now riding an eight-game win streak and are heavy favorites to make the NCAA March Madness Tournament.
Keeping the offense afloat was freshman Cayden Ward with 17 points and senior Issac Jessup adding 15 points of his own.
Jessup is really finding his stride and identity on offense as of late, knocking down 14 made three-pointers in the last three contests.
“We just have to double down on our offensive identity, “ Jessup said. “Through that everyone will find our flow and rhythm, it’ll take 100% commitment and belief.”
The freshman, Ward, is putting together his own impressive stretch after not playing the first half of his season due to a potential redshirt year.
Ward, now a major contributor in the lineup, is averaging 16 points in his last three games played.
“It’s great to see his growth within our concept and his shooting,” Head Coach Mike DeGeorge said. “It’s fun to see Cayden be the best version of himself, that’s what being a coach is all about.”
Burdening Cal Poly would be the UC San Diego offensive execution.
In this contest the Tritons surrendered a season-low five turnovers while the Mustangs committed 17.
“They play a positionless concept of basketball,” DeGeorge said. “The way they move and rotate the ball puts the defense in different circumstances all the time.”
The Mustangs would come out of the gates already needing to come back following a 12-0 Triton run in the first three minutes of the game.
The Cal Poly offense would propel them back into the game with a barrage of three-pointers.
Their first seven made shots were from beyond the arc until freshman Peter Bandelj converted on a layup plus the foul, giving the Mustangs a one-point lead.
The Cal Poly defense could not get stops, and the lead continued to build. At one point, the Mustangs were staring at a 17-point deficit.
Hitting three three-pointers and adding his ability to be above the rim and dunk the ball, Ward had a big impact for the Mustangs.
Ward also added a career-high nine rebounds.
“I’m getting comfortable out there and finding my flow,” Ward said. “Its easy to convert when my teammates are helping me and trusting me with the ball.”
The Mustangs were forced to play catch-up the whole game, and with the Tritons not making mistakes on either end of the court, it was a tough hill to climb.
The turnover battle down the stretch loomed large, and the Mustang defense could only muster five points off of turnovers compared to the Tritons’ 22 points.
Cal Poly would force the UC San Diego lead to 10 points with two minutes of action to play, but it would not be enough.
The Mustangs will look to get back into the win column on Saturday, Feb. 22 when they host UC Riverside at 2 p.m. at Mott Athletics Center.
