Photo by Max Zeronian
Buck Owens might love Bakersfield, but the Cal Poly point guard Amaurys Fermin probably does not, especially after Wednesday night. Fermin’s last second layup rolled off the rim to give Cal State Bakersfield a 60-58 win over the Mustangs at Mott Gym. The defeat is Cal Poly’s first of the season and gives Bakersfield a 32-24 advantage all-time in the series.
The defeat drops Cal Poly’s record to 1-1.“I got the ball at the top, and I saw an opening,” Fermin said. “They didn’t switch on it and saw the whole play open up for me. I’m use to taking last second shots like that, and at the end of the game like that, they are not going to call a foul.”Cal Poly started the game strong, outscoring Cal State Bakersfield 10-2 by taking advantage of its three turnovers. However, the Roadrunners emerged from their offensive slumber and went on an 18-2 run that caused the Mustangs to play from behind for the first time this season.
The Roadrunners shot 60 percent in the first half and could have scored more had they not turned the ball over 11 times. CSUB out rebounded Cal Poly 14 to 10 in the first half also, and four of those were offensive rebounds.“Those long rebounds were the ones that were getting us,” forward Will Taylor said. “We kept playing tough, and we kept doing what we needed to do, but those long rebounds, we have to get those.”
Sophomore forward Chris Eversley’s mid–range jumper ended the drought, and his three pointer on the following possession closed the deficit to 22-15. Thanks to some timely baskets by Taylor, Cal Poly was able to close the gap to 34-30 at halftime.
Taylor finished the game with 16 points in 23 minutes. These points were a career high for Taylor, who made eight of his nine shots.
“Most of it was (Taylor) being in garbage spots and running the floor,” head coach Joe Callero said. “We couldn’t be any more pleased with the production we got out of him — some was out of low-block play. We love the kid, love contribution and I think he’s going to be great for us the whole year.”
The second half was played at a much slower pace than the first, with neither team being able to break the open with an offensive run. Scoring points in transition had been crucial to the Mustangs success against San Jose State.
Shooting guard Dylan Royer’s three pointer gave Cal Poly a 46-43 lead with just under 10 minutes to go in the game. It was Cal Poly’s first lead since it was 10-8 with 15 minutes to go in the first half. The Mustangs made three three pointers in the second half, but were only 4-of-16 from behind the arc.
After Cal State Backersfield answered with a three of their own, Cal Poly went on 8-2 run that was culminated with a thunderous dunk from Taylor that put the Mott Gym on their feet.
Cal State Bakersfield forward Tyrone White put the Cal Poly faithful back in their seat by scoring eight points in the final four minutes. His last basket was a three pointer that gave the Roadrunners a 60-58 lead.
“They got what they wanted, a 27 foot three pointer with 10 seconds to go, and ice water hit it,” Callero said. “Those were some long-range stabs in the eye there.”
Cal Poly will be playing in the Las Vegas Invitational over the weekend. The Mustangs travel to USC on Nov. 19 and then Las Vegas on Nov. 22 to play UNLV. After watching fellow Big West member Long Beach State defeat ninth ranked Pitt, an upset is always possible.
“I think we are capable of beating any team as long as we can stick to the game plan and execute,” Fermin said. “Last year against San Diego, we took them to last couple of possessions, and UCLA to last couple of possessions. I feel that we have good team and one through 12, if we play well, we are capable of winning.”