The women’s basketball team lost the season opener 83-71 to the University of San Francisco at War Memorial Sobrato Center Saturday. However, junior center Devin Stanback put up a team-high 17 points with six rebounds in her debut as a Mustang.
The Dons (1-0, 0-0) took an early 4-0 lead, shutting down the Mustangs’ (0-1, 0-0) offense for the first two minutes. Senior guard Lynn Leaupepe recorded the Mustangs’ first points of the season with a jumper to cut the lead to 4-2. She finished the night with 16 points and a team-high of eight rebounds.
San Francisco continued to build their lead, increasing it to 15-7 with less than four minutes left in the first quarter. The Mustangs went on a 7-0 run to tie the game, but the Dons took a 19-17 lead to end the quarter.
In the first minute of the second quarter, freshman guard Ayzhiana Basallo nailed a 3-pointer to give the Mustangs their first lead of the game at 24-22. Basallo totaled 11 points and six assists in her first collegiate game. Both teams continued to trade points throughout the quarter, but the Dons were able to take a 44-36 lead at halftime.
The Dons outscored the Mustangs 21-15 in the third quarter, leading by 16 points halfway through the quarter. Senior guard Dynn Leaupepe strung together a layup, jump shot and two free throws for six points to cut the deficit down. However, the Dons kept the lead throughout the last two quarters, eventually taking the win 83-71.
The Mustangs outscored the Dons off the bench 22-19 and had more points in the paint at 30-26, but suffered from making 27 of 65 field goal attempts.
Cal Poly will next host Grand Canyon (0-2, 0-0 Western Athletic) for the team’s home opener at Mott Athletic Center, Thursday Nov. 16. at 11 a.m.