The Cal Poly women’s basketball team split two games over the weekend in the ninth annual ShareSLO Holiday Tournament, hosted by the Mustangs.
On Friday, the Mustangs (3-3) hosted Santa Clara (4-2) in Mott Athletics Center. The Broncos, fresh off of their victory over No. 10 Stanford, jumped out to an early first-quarter lead. The Mustangs clawed back but still trailed by eight, 20-12, at the end of the first quarter.
Both the Mustangs and the Broncos scored 15 points in the second quarter and the Mustangs still trailed by eight, 35-27, at the half.
The Mustangs came out firing after halftime, bringing themselves within one point, down 37-36. The Broncos righted the ship, however, and led 50-40 at the end of the third quarter.
Cal Poly couldn’t muster a comeback bid in the fourth quarter and ended up falling 69-63.
Senior guard Beth Balbierz finished the game with 16 points and sophomore guard Dynn Leaupepe added 12 points. Junior forward Hannah Gilbert recorded her third double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
After their loss to the Broncos, the Mustangs moved on to face Montana State (4-2) in their final game of the tournament on Saturday evening.
Both teams began the game evenly matched, mustering 16 points each in the first quarter.
However, things quickly turned south for the Mustangs. Montana State held the Mustangs to only four second-quarter points and the Bobcats took a 28-20 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the half, the Mustangs were able to mount a quick comeback. After scoring the first six points of the half, the Mustangs tied the game at 33 midway through the third quarter.
Down the stretch, the Mustangs continued to outscore the Bobcats and came out on top with a 66-57 victory.
Balbierz led the Mustangs again with 16 points, and senior guard Lisa Marie Sanchez pitched in 15 points, seven rebounds and five steals. Gilbert finished with nine points and 11 rebounds and junior forward Amanda Lovely hauled in 12 rebounds, her career high.
The Mustangs travel to Pepperdine on Wednesday to take on the Waves (1-5) at 7 p.m.