Jesse Summers
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In a low scoring matchup highlighted by rebounding, defense and hustle, the Cal Poly men’s basketball team (8-7, 1-2 Big West Conference) fell short 50-48 against Long Beach State (8-11, 2-1) on Thursday night.
The 49ers senior guard Mike Caffey converted a game winning layup in the final moments for his home crowd, giving his team their second win in the Big West Conference play.
The Mustangs came out in the first half rebounding and defending at a high level, to go along with the a couple three pointers from junior Michael Bolden. Bolden would finish with a team-high 14 points.
The second half stayed close until the end, but the ball ended up falling on Long Beach’s side of the court.
The Mustangs nearly snagged the game in the final 30 seconds, led by sophomore guard David Nwaba who marked two free throws and a clutch jump shot to tie the game before Caffey converted the game-winning shot. Nwaba would finish the night with 12 points.
Additionally, junior guard Joel Awich marked down 10 points, Cal Poly’s third double figure scorer on the night. Despite the normal contributors producing better than average numbers on the night, it was still not enough to capture the win.
Before tonight, the 49ers had won three-straight, two of them by a margin of six or less points.
Cal Poly will travel to Cal State Northridge for a 7 p.m. ballgame on Saturday.