Mustang Daily Staff Report
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In Joe Callero’s four seasons as the Cal Poly men’s basketball head coach, one team has consistently given him fits. The Mustangs have defeated the Gauchos just once in their past 12 opportunities, perhaps none more disappointing than a double-overtime loss on Jan. 19 in Isla Vista.
The team gets an opportunity to end a five-game losing streak against UC Santa Barbara on Saturday night in Mott Athletics Center, where the past two meetings were decided by a single point.
Cal Poly has been nearly unbeatable at home this season, having lost just once to Fresno State, and won its past 11 Big West games in San Luis Obispo. Conversely, the Gauchos are 2-10 on the road this season and have dropped five of six games since defeating the Mustangs last month.
UC Santa Barbara lost 6-foot-7 center Alan Williams for the second half of its win against Pacific on Saturday. He was also injured against the Mustangs and his status for the game this Saturday is unknown.
The Mustangs are dealing with the possible loss of Chris Eversley, their leading scorer and a large inside presence. He did not play in the second half of the Mustangs’ win against UC Davis. Callero said X-rays of his leg came back negative, but the team is awaiting the results of more tests to determine the exact injury.
Eversley was able to jog in practice on Wednesday after getting his walking boot removed on Tuesday. He said that he’ll be a game time decision on Saturday.
Senior guard Dylan Royer led the Mustangs in points during Eversley’s absence. He scored 20 points, including hitting six 3-pointers, on Saturday.
In the Mustangs last game against the Gauchos, freshman guard Reese Morgan scored a career-high 26 points while hitting seven 3-pointers. He is averaging 6.6 points per game this season, but has only started last the seven games.
Cal Poly is currently in fourth place in the Big West with a 7-5 conference record, including a win over conference-leader Long Beach State. The Mustangs have defeated all three teams ahead of them in the Big West standings. UC Santa Barbara is in eighth place in conference with a 4-8 record.