Mustang Daily Staff Report
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Multifaceted.
That’s how senior guard Kayla Griffin described the Cal Poly Women’s basketball team this season.
Coming off a huge upset over Pac-12 Oregon State last week, the Mustangs beat San Diego 69-50 in the season home opener on Saturday afternoon in Mott Gym, bringing their record to 2-1.
The name of the game was defense, as the Mustangs recorded 15 steals and capitalized on the Toreros’ 26 turnovers.
“Our main plan was rebounding,” Griffin said. “We wanted to come out and set the tone. Every year we’ve played them, they’ve rebounded so well. If we were really hard on defense, our offense would come.”
It didn’t take long for that offense to come.
After some back-and-forth scoring to start the game, the Mustangs took a commanding lead and finished the first half leading San Diego 37-22, thanks to 16 Toreros turnovers and 12 points from Griffin.
“She’s a beast,” head coach Faith Mimnaugh said. “There’s no better way to say it. Sometimes I am amazed at what she does for us. She’s handling the ball. She’s setting things up. She’s rebounding like a mad woman. I think she’s a first-team all-conference performer if not player of the year.”
Noticeably absent from the Mustang lineup was sophomore guard Ariana Elegado, who recorded a career-high 27 points against Oregon State.
“I was really proud of how our team responded in her absence,” Mimnaugh said. “They had great poise, even with the 22 turnovers we had. I thought we did a decent job considering we didn’t have two or our primary ball handlers.”
Sophomore Kristen Ale replaced Elegado in the starting lineup, and as Griffin said, this season is all about the unpredictability of the Mustangs each game.
“You never know who is going to step up,” Griffin said. “I think it’s going to be really interesting each game someone new can step up. No one is going to know what to do.”
Besides Griffin’s 16-point, seven-rebound afternoon, the Mustangs saw strong performances from senior forward Nikol Allison, who put up 11 points, and freshman guard Beth Balbierz sank two 3-pointers for eight points of her own.
“Beth Balbierz can really shoot the ball,” Mimnaugh said. “I thought she did an awesome job. She was in good rhythm. She made good decisions. Our whole team stepped things up.”
The Mustangs have the daunting task of facing No. 14 California on the road at 5 p.m.
The Bears are undefeated and have put up at least 80 points in both victories this season.
“It’s going to take a herculean effort,” Mimnaugh said. “They are so athletic and physical and strong and quick. It’s also a great opportunity for us. They are going to overlook us and we are going to come with everything we’ve got.”
Jacob Lauing contributed to this article.