The Cal Poly men’s basketball team provided 1,289 fans at Mott Gym on Wednesday night with an aggressive and overall dominating performance in an 81-62 victory against Division III Occidental.
The Mustangs (4-2) never allowed the Tigers (2-4) to take a lead.
“All of our starters did a great job and were able to stretch out a good lead considerably early in the game,” Cal Poly head coach Kevin Bromley said.
Coming out strong in the first half, the Mustangs were able to secure a 10-point lead (24-14) with 11 minutes, 59 seconds left in the first half. They eventually closed the period with a 51-26 lead against Occidental.
Cal Poly began the second half with a 7-0 run, eventually securing a game-high 29-point lead with 15:55 to play.
Individual leaders for the Mustangs included a 15-point performance from starting senior forward Derek Stockalper, who made five of his six floor shots.
Tyler McGinn added 11 points for Cal Poly.
Though the Mustangs dominated the scoreboard, the team did have its struggles, particularly with free throws, Bromley said.
The Mustangs shot well enough from the field, making 29 of 59 field-goal attempts (49 percent), twelve of which were 3-pointers (12 for 26).
Cal Poly shot only 45 percent from the foul line, sinking only 11 of 24 attempts.
“It was definitely one of the poorer aspects of our game, but we took enough shots and made enough baskets to keep us well out in front,” Bromley said.
Bromley also alluded to the Mustangs’ early defensive struggles. Though they never allowed the Tigers to gain a lead, the Mustangs allowed an early tie at 12-12, in which the team took a timeout with 15:32 to play.
“I told the team at that point to have more pride in their defense and get really locked into them (Tigers),” Bromley said. “I told them that the game was more of a mental challenge and that they had to have respect for their opponents, no matter if they’re Duke or Occidental.”
The next game for the Mustangs is Sunday at San Jose State.
“San Jose State is hungry for their first ‘W,’ and Cal Poly isn’t exactly a name that sends fear down their spine,” Bromley said. “Last year they really kicked our butts and we had no answer for them.
“The Spartans are really going to come at us and we need to be prepared to play at our highest level. If we can play with the same intensity, then we’re going to be successful.”