Junior forward Kristina Santiago led five Mustangs in double-digit scoring figures on Saturday afternoon as the Cal Poly women secured the No. 2 seed in the Big West with an 83-69 victory against UC Irvine.
Junior guard Rachel Clancy totaled 18 points and senior forward Becky Tratter added 16 for Cal Poly (18-10, 11-5), which earned the program’s first automatic bye to the Big West Tournament semifinals by virtue of splitting its season series against fourth-seeded Long Beach State (13-16, 9-7). UC Davis (20-9, 12-4) earned the No. 1 seed.
Cal Poly shot 55.2 percent from the floor against UC Irvine (9-20, 6-10) and trailed just twice — never by more than three points.
Up at the break, 36-33, Cal Poly converted five of its initial seven chances from the floor to open the second half, but led by one point with 11-and-a-half minutes remaining. The second of two free throws from UC Irvine guard Rebecca Maessen three minutes tied the game at 59-59, but the Mustangs produced a 15-4 run during an ensuing four-minute span to pull away.
Senior guard Brittany Lange also recorded 10 points while Santiago finished with 10 rebounds to claim her ninth double-double of the season.
Cal Poly matched single-season program records for Big West victories, fewest losses and winning percentage this season.
The Mustangs will open Big West Tournament play against the field’s highest remaining seed on Friday. Should Cal Poly prevail in its semifinal match at the Big West Tournament, the Mustangs will contest the championship game for the second-straight season on Saturday. Cal Poly dropped last year’s title bout against UC Santa Barbara, 64-57.