Mustangs Hold Off Highlanders, 67-64

Saturday, December 30

University of California, Riverside

Cal Poly

12/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

The Cal Poly Mustangs held off a furious comeback by the visiting UC Riverside Highlanders to post a 67-64 win in a Big West Conference game in front of of 1,821 fans at Mott Gym in San Luis Obispo Saturday.

The Highlanders are now 3-10 overall and 0-2 in the Big West. Cal Poly is 6-6 and 1-1 in the Big West.

Sophomore guard Chris Johnson led the Highlanders with 14 points, freshman forward Henrik Thomsen had 13 points and senior guard Justin Bell had 12 points, all coming on three pointers. UCR shot 44.2% (23-of-52) from the field, 45.5% (10-of-22) from the three point line and 53.3% (8-of-15) from the free throw line. The Highlanders outrebounded Cal Poly, 33-32, but committed 20 turnovers in the game, the first time since the loss at Southeast Missouri State that they have reached that level.

Cal Poly's Tyler McGinn led his squad with 18 points and Derek Stockalper and Titus Shelton each had 13. The Mustangs shot 46.6% (27-of-58) from the field, 38.1% (8-of-21) from the three point line and 45.5% (5-of-11) from the free throw line.

The game was tied 61-61 with 4:58 left, but Cal Poly scored the next two baskets to take a 65-61 lead. The Highlanders, who went over four minutes without scoring, got a three pointer by Larry Cunningham with 42.9 seconds left to make the score 65-64. Stockalper gave the Mustangs a 67-64 lead with a layup with 24 seconds remaining.

UCR had a pair of opportunities to tie, as Johnson missed a three with seven seconds left, then chased down his own rebound and threw up a desperation three with four seconds left that was long and the Mustangs held on to win.

Cal Poly led by nine at 57-48 with 9:33 left, but UCR came back with an 11-2 run to tie the game at 59-59 with 5:30 remaining. However, the Highlanders could never take the lead away from the Mustangs.

The Mustangs led by as many as six in the first half, the last time at 23-17 with 5:06 remaining, but UCR went on a 10-1 run to take the lead at 27-24 with just under a minute left. UCR led 29-26 with 15 seconds left on a pair of Korri Ennis free throws, but McGinn's trey with six seconds left sent the game into the intermission tied at 29-29.

Though UCR had just one fewer turnover in the half (12-11), the Highlanders were able to better capitalize, scoring 12 off of the giveaways to the Mustangs' six. However, Cal Poly held a 6-0 edge in second chance points, despite the rebound totals being tied at 17. The Highlanders shot 40.7% (11-of-27) from the floor and the Mustangs were 42.9% (12-of-28). The Mustangs led by as many as six in the first half, the last time at 23-17 with 5:06 remaining, but UCR went on a 10-1 run to take the lead at 27-24 with just under a minute left.

"I would like to thank the UCR Athletics family for their support during this difficult time in my life," Spencer said. "It is clear that it is in the best interests of both myself, my family, and the UCR Basketball program for me to step away and to focus on regaining my strength and health. It is disappointing that my illness will prevent me from the opportunity of coaching such an outstanding group of young men, while representing this university."

"I understand that there will be many questions regarding my medical leave, but I request that the public respect my family's privacy during this difficult time in our lives," Spencer added.

Spencer is entering his second year as head coach. The Highlanders went 5-23 in a rebuilding season in 2005-06. UCR opens play on Monday, November 6th as they host Cal State Dominguez Hills in an exhibition game in the PE Gym at 7:00 p.m.