Cal Poly shooting guard Drake U’u came into the game averaging seven points per game, but scored eight consecutive points early in the second half that blew the game open and led Cal Poly’s 77-51 victory over the Hornets of Sacramento State.
“I think last year I just tried to fit in,” U’u said. “This year I’m more comfortable, and I feel that with me being aggressive, it just gives us another option.”
Cal Poly came into the game with a 4-2 record having just beaten Mississippi Valley State by 17 points. Sacramento State traveled to San Luis Obispo with a 3-2 record, and the team blew an 18 point lead in its last game before losing to McNeese State.
The first half started off slow for Cal Poly as the Sacramento State jumped out to 7-3 lead. Dylan Royer woke up Cal Poly’s sleeping offense with a 3-pointer from the top of the key. After a Hornet basket, Cal Poly point guard Amaurys Fermin tied the game at nine with a 3-pointer. The Mustangs would remain hot from behind the arc for the rest of the half. Royer would add two more threes and David Hanson made a three in the corner over Hornet starting Center Konner Veteto.
Chris Eversely provided a spark off the bench by scoring his two field goals off offensive rebounds.
“We could feel it turn in the second half against Mississippi Valley State,” head coach Joe Callero said. “Now we have another shooter out there and it improves he flow of our offense.”
Royer, a graduate of Morro Bay High School, was the offensive player of the game. He was 5-for-5 from the three point range and has now made 8 of his 10 attempts from behind the arc, and is shooting a Jimmer Fredette like 66 percent from long range for the season. For part of the second half, Royer was guarded by his former rival from San Luis Obispo High School, Julian Demalleville.
“My teammates are doing an excellent job of helping me,” Royer said. “They’re setting great screens and finding me when I am open.”
His fellow shooting guard is in awe over Royer’s shooting.
“I feel like Dylan was playing horse out there,” U’u said. “I asked him at halftime when was the last time he missed a shot.”
Cal Poly out rebounded Sacramento State 29-14 in the first half and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds despite the Hornets having the three tallest players on the court. Not surprisingly, Cal Poly is undefeated this season when out rebounding their opponents.
The second half belonged to the Mustangs as they outscored Sac State 40-22. The game unraveled quickly as Sac State head coach Brian Katz burned a timeout after a Fermin layup one minute into the half. Fermin would finish as Cal Poly’s second leading scorer with 12 points. Three minutes later, U’u went on his offensive spurt and the Mustangs were never challenged. For the game Cal Poly shot 51 percent from the field and 43 percent from three point range. They held Sacramento State to only 42 percent shooting and 30 percent from behind the arc.
The victory improves Cal Poly to 5-2 and the Mustangs have a three game winning streak heading into Saturday’s match-up with St. Mary’s. The Gaels come into Mott Gym with a 4-1 record. St. Mary’s has been a consistent NCAA tournament team over past five seasons, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2009. They can also boast about having produced recent NBA players Patti Mills and Omar Samhan.
“We are very excited to have this opportunity and see where we are at so far,” U’u said. “This is like preparing for the first round of the NCAA Tournament ,and we are excited about the opportunity and are looking forward to it.”