Despite a stellar game from emerging sophomore forward Megan Harrison, the Cal Poly women’s basketball team lost 70-68 to host San Diego State in overtime Thursday night in a nonconference game at Cox Arena.
Harrison, a 6-foot-1 power forward, led all scorers with 20 points and hit a 3-pointer that tied the score at 62 with eight seconds remaining to send the game to overtime. Harrison also had seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and one blocked shot.
But the Aztecs (4-3) outscored the Mustangs (4-4) by an 8-6 margin in the extra period. The overtime came to a close when Harrison’s attempt at a game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds left was blocked by Lasandra Dixon.
Lisa McBride and Jessica Eggleston added 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Cal Poly, which lost despite making 19 of 25 free throws and turning the ball over six fewer times (22) than San Diego State.
Cal Poly’s Toni Newman scored eight points and freshmen Tamara Wells and Bria Fields chipped in seven each. Newman pulled down nine rebounds and Fields eight.
Filling in for injured four-year starting senior point guard Sparkle Anderson (left knee), Kyla Howell had three points, four assists and three steals. She shot 1 for 8 from the field.
With 18 points, Jennifer Layton led four Aztecs in double-figure scoring. She also had 11 rebounds.
San Diego State’s Desiree Johnson had 13 points and 13 boards.
Two usual strengths for Cal Poly – the fast break and depth off the bench – came up short Thursday.
In fast-break scoring, the Mustangs were beat 14-0. Cal Poly’s bench was outscored 20-14.
Cal Poly continues its six-game road trip when it visits San Diego at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Mustangs will be trying to improve to 3-2 against West Coast Conference teams.
In other Big West Conference scores Thursday, Pacific lost at Northern Arizona 74-59, Cal State Fullerton upset visiting Colorado 89-77 and UC Santa Barbara beat visiting Weber State 62-57.
No team in the Big West has a winning record.
At 4-4, Cal Poly is the lone team in the conference to be at the .500 mark.