The Gold team took an early lead and never let up for an 80-67 win over Green at Cal Poly men’s basketball annual Green vs. Gold intrasquad scrimmage Saturday at Mott Athletics Center.
Junior forward Josh Martin led the Gold team with 24 points in his first appearance since returning to the team after an injury sidelined him for the 2016-17 season.
“It was tremendous,” Martin said. “When the jitters went away, it was all smooth sailing.”
Junior guard Donovan Fields had a game-high 30 points for Green.
Senior guard Victor Joseph totaled 22 points and started the action with a jumper for the first points of the game. Joseph continued to rack up points for Gold with a 3-pointer and layup for a 14-6 lead. A string of 3-pointers, first by Joseph, then Martin, followed by Joseph again, made it 29-12.
Freshman guard Iziah James gave the Gold team the largest lead of the first half at 40-22.
Gold led 42-25 at halftime, but Green looked to close the gap in the second half. Junior wing Eric Toles brought Green within eight points with a 3-pointer that was quickly answered
by Martin.
Fields brought the Gold team’s lead down to 54-46, but, following a timeout, Gold quickly took over with an 11-2 run that widened the lead to 17.
Martin posted a game-high 13 rebounds.
“Having [Martin] back adds so much, he’s not just a great shooter or rebounder, he’s also a great energy guy,” head coach Joe Callero said.
Martin has been voted team captain, joining Fields and Joseph as the leaders of the Mustangs.
The game was followed by a dunk contest, in which junior forward Jakub Niziol’s backboard dunk edged out Martin’s between-the-legs slam for the win. However, there were some disagreements with the results.
“I thought I got robbed, but kudos to [Niziol],” Martin said. “He’s got bounce so I’ll give him this one for now.”
Callero was in agreement.
“I’m going on record right now that those judges should’ve gave that championship to Josh Martin,” Callero said.
The Mustangs will now look forward to the season opener against Cal State East Bay in Mott Athletics Center Nov. 2
at 7 p.m.
“It feels good to get back into that game-like intensity and that flow,” Fields said. “We’ve got to come in with the same intensity and just be consistent day in and day out.”