Erik Chu
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Failing to convert a single field goal in the final 11 minutes of the game, the Cal Poly men’s basketball team (13-12, 7-6 Big West Conference) had its three-game winning streak snapped with a 48-44 defeat on the road at UC Riverside (14-13, 7-6).
Entering Saturday night’s game with three straight wins, the Mustangs had a golden opportunity to continue the momentum and move up in the Big West standings with a victory.
A lackluster start to the game caused the Mustangs to trail the majority of the first half. Junior guard Jaylen Bland led the Highlanders to a 13-9 advantage with three early 3-pointers.
The Mustangs failed to respond, and the Highlanders’ lead grew to eight, 23-15, at the six-minute mark of the first half.
“We went into the game without the energy we needed to be successful,” sophomore guard Ridge Shipley said. “It wasn’t really a lack of focus on our part. UC Riverside came out really aggressive, and we were taken back about it.”
Bland would hit his fourth 3-pointer in the final moments of the first half, giving the Highlanders a comfortable 30-22 lead at halftime.
“That was the worst half of basketball we have played during our winning streak in the month of February,” head coach Joe Callero said. “We started the game out slow, lethargic, timid, and the score showed it.”
Junior forward Brian Bennett was the lone bright spot in the first half for the Mustangs, providing a much-needed post presence with eight points.
In the second half, the Mustangs played with an improved focus and intensity.
Led by Shipley and Bennett, the Mustangs dominated the first five minutes, going on a 12-0 run.
Shipley’s two 3-pointers and Bennett’s three jumpers gave the Mustangs a 34-30 lead with 15:29 remaining.
“We just played with an intensity and aggressiveness to start the second half,” Callero said. “We had a really good talk at halftime about coming out with more aggression attacking the hoop, and our team responded.”
UC Riverside would eventually tie the game at 34 with consecutive layups, but the Mustangs would respond with a 7-0 run of their own.
Junior guard Reese Morgan’s 3-pointer off an assist by senior guard Michael Bolden would give the Mustangs a 41-34 advantage with 11:04 remaining.
However, the basket by Morgan turned out to be the Mustangs’ last made shot from the floor.
After a scorching start to the second half, Cal Poly suffered a scoring drought that would last 10 and a half minutes.
Junior forward Joel Awich would finally end the bleeding with a free throw with 26 seconds remaining, but by then it was too late.
UC Riverside junior forward Taylor Johns’ three baskets would highlight a 10-0 run that gave the Highlanders a 44-41 lead with 49 seconds remaining.
The Highlanders would hit their free throws to seal a 48-44 victory.
“Give UC Riverside credit for their defense,” Callero said. “They did a great job of taking away the things we like to do on offense, but a thing we need to work on is mental conditioning. Basketball is a game of spurts — we went on our run, and when UC Riverside went on theirs, we didn’t do a good job of responding to it.”
The stalwart Highlanders defense held the Mustangs to only 33 percent from the field on 15-for-45 shooting.
Saturday night’s game also marks the fourth straight game junior forward David Nwaba has missed due to mononucleosis. Nwaba is the Mustangs’ leading scorer with 12.5 points per game.
“We definitely missed David tonight,” Callero said. “UC Riverside really pressured us defensively, and we could have used David’s athleticism and aggressiveness to break that pressure.”
Though doctors cleared Nwaba to play, Callero still does not think Nwaba will play in the upcoming week.
“Next man up,” Callero explained. “We’ve won three in a row without David, and we can definitely do it again.”
The upcoming week is crucial for the Mustangs, as they welcome the two best teams in the conference to Mott Athletics Center.
Cal Poly faces second-place UC Irvine Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. and first-place UC Davis Saturday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.
“The loss is definitely disappointing, but we can’t hold our heads down,” Shipley said. “We’ve got a good opportunity at home to knock off the conference’s best teams, and we’re going to definitely bring it in practice to get prepared.”