“It feels great to come back home, especially being 6-0 at home,” junior guard Ariana Elegado said.
Mustang News Staff Report
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Junior guard Ariana Elegado led the team with 30 points and six assists, which propelled Cal Poly women’s basketball to a conference victory against Long Beach State on Saturday night. With the win, the Mustangs improved to 3-1 in Big West conference play and 9-8 overall.
Long Beach State fell to 2-2 in conference play and 10-8 overall. Center Molly Schlemer had a double-double as she scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Mustangs.
“I don’t know if I’ve seen as quality play from both teams,” head coach Faith Mimnaugh said. “It really was a game of possessions and I’m glad we came out on top. It could have easily gone either way.”
The Mustangs received 21 points from their bench, led by sophomore Beth Balbierz, who provided 16 points in 17 minutes of play. Long Beach State had four of five starters in double figures and was led by guard Lauren Spargo, who scored 20 points. Long Beach State’s bench also contributed 35 points and was led by Hallie Meneses, who scored 19 points in 28 minutes of play.
The Cal Poly defense forced 21 turnovers while only turning the ball over 12 times themselves. The Mustangs were able to capitalize on the turnovers as they scored 27 points off the gifts.
On the final play of regulation, the Mustangs were down by three, but Meneses sent the game into overtime with 3-point shot with one second left.
Cal Poly outscored Long Beach State in overtime 16-11 and hit 10 of 11 free throws in the period to seal the victory. The Mustangs now look ahead to another conference opponent in Cal State Fullerton, who they face at home next Thursday.
“It feels great to come back home, especially being 6-0 at home,” Elegado said. “We know with our crowd, with our band and just the feeling playing at home makes us feel so much better.”
Wrestling pins Menlo 29-9
The Cal Poly wrestling team earned a dominating 29-9 victory over Menlo College in a non-conference dual meet Saturday afternoon in the Mott Athletics Center.
The Mustangs snapped a three-match losing streak and evened their dual meet mark at 3-3. Menlo fell to 3-6.
Impressive performances by Devon Lotito, Luke McDonald and Nic Johnson spurred the Mustangs to victory, ending a three-match losing streak and evening their dual meet mark at 3-3.
Lotito earned his second fall of the season with a pin of Juan Zorilla in 1:29. Lotito pinned his opponent on the third try, after scoring a takedown and three-point near fall on his first two attempts.
Luke McDonald cruised to a 13-1 major decision over Christian Franks at 157 pounds, earning three takedowns, an escape and five near-fall points.
Other Cal Poly winners included Britain Longmire at 125 pounds, Kyle Chené at 149 and Kent Beecham at 174. The Mustangs look to continue their success with non-conference dual meets at Wyoming on Friday and Northern Colorado on Sunday.
Millard plays in all-star games
Former Cal Poly linebacker Johnny Millard recovered a fumble in the East-West Shrine Game held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. this past Saturday.
Millard, a member of the East squad coached by former NFL coach Jerry Glanville, recovered the West’s fumble on its second play from scrimmage to set up a 31-yard field goal early in the game. The East won 23-13.
Millard is the fifth Cal Poly player to play in the Shrine game’s 89-year history.
The former Mustang standout was playing in his second collegiate all-star game in as many weeks. He also participated in the inaugural Medal of Honor Bowl in Charleston, S.C. on Jan. 11, where he earned three tackles for the National All-Stars.
Millard graduated from Cal Poly this past December with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.