UCR Can't Complete Comeback Falling 57-48 At League-Leading Cal Poly

Wednesday, January 19

San Luis Obispo, CA

7:00 PM

University of California, Riverside

9-8 (3-2BWC)

Cal Poly

10-7 (6-0BWC)

Team	1	2	F
UC Riverside	26	22	48
Cal Poly	32	25	57

Photo by: Gabriel L. Acosta

UCR Can't Complete Comeback Falling 57-48 At League-Leading Cal Poly

1/19/2011 6:29:24 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Box Score - Cal Poly 57, UC Riverside 48

San Luis Obispo, CA - The UC Riverside women's basketball team rallied back from a 17 point first half deficit and cut the lead to three late in the game, but could not complete the comeback as the Cal Poly Mustangs held on for the 57-48 win in Big West action at Mott Gym on Wednesday evening.

The loss drops the Highlanders to 9-8 overall and 3-2 in league play, stopping a three-game winning streak in the process. The league-leading Mustangs improve to 10-7, 6-0.

Two consecutive Brittany Waddell layups cut Cal Poly's lead to three, 48-45, with 5:32 remaining in the second half—the closest the Highlanders got since they were down 7-4 early in the game. But the Mustangs proved why they're leading the conference as they outscored UCR 9-3 the rest of the game to hold on for the win.

Waddell led all players with 16 points on 7 of 16 shooting from the field, while Alyssa Morris added 15 points.

In the first half, Cal Poly scored nine straight points turning a 5-4 lead into a 14-4 advantage just 6:37 into the game. A Waddell three-pointer put a stop to the run, but the Mustangs continued their offensive attack outscoring the Highlanders 12-2 to take a 26-9 lead with 7:17 left in the half.

After hitting just 3 of their first 12 shots to begin the game, the Highlanders hit 7-15 the rest of the period as UC Riverside made a run to conclude the half, outscoring Cal Poly 17-6.

Two free throws by Tre'Shonti Nottingham closed the deficit to single digits, 30-22, with 3:34 remaining, and the squad entered the break down just six, 32-26.

The second half began slowly with both teams combining for just six points through the first four minutes of play. The Mustangs took a 13 point lead, 43-30, with 13:09 left, but UCR rallied to cut the lead to three, 48-45, capped off by the two Waddell layups with 5:32 left.

It was not enough, however, as the Highlanders comeback fell short and the Mustangs held on for the 57-48 win.

For the night, UC Riverside collected a season-high 16 steals, the most since the team had 17 against Pacific on January 2, 2008.

UCR hit just 35.2 percent of its shots while Cal Poly hit 38.6 percent of its shots, including 50 percent from downtown.

The Highlanders now take a break from Big West Conference play with a 5:00 pm game against CSU Bakersfield this Saturday, January 22 at the Student Recreation Center in Riverside.