Cal Poly defeats UC San Diego 67-65

Cal Poly Edges UC San Diego in Thrilling Conference Matchup

In a dramatic turn of events, Cal Poly (Mott Athletics Center) emerged victorious over visiting UC San Diego 67-65 on Saturday night, overcoming a three-point deficit at halftime to claim the thrilling conference matchup.

The game's narrative pivot occurred at the break, as the away team took a slim lead. However, Cal Poly's Hamad Mousa sparked the comeback with a clutch performance, scoring 10 of his 26 points in the second half to keep his team within striking distance.

Mousa's incredible shooting range was on full display, as he connected on 5-of-10 three-point attempts (50.0%) and shot an impressive 52.9% from the field. Cayden Ward chipped in with a strong all-around performance, grabbing 11 rebounds while scoring 8 points and recording one steal.

For UC San Diego, Alex Chaikin paced the effort with 17 points, but struggled to find consistency outside of the arc (5-of-10 three-point attempts). Emanuel Prospere II led the team in assists with 4 helpers, but his overall output was somewhat limited by a relatively quiet night on offense.

Both teams showcased impressive rebounding efforts, with Cal Poly securing 44 boards and UC San Diego managing to grab 44 as well. However, it was the Mustangs' ability to capitalize on fast breaks that proved pivotal in the game. They outscored their visitors 12-7 on the put-back points, providing a crucial cushion when it mattered most.

The game's outcome came down to the wire, with Cal Poly holding onto a two-point lead as time expired. The win marks an important conference victory for the Mustangs and sets them up for future success in the highly competitive MWC landscape.

In a closely contested contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final seconds, Cal Poly demonstrated its resilience and poise under pressure to secure a hard-fought 67-65 triumph over UC San Diego.