Cal Poly’s Women’s Basketball (14-11, 10-6 in Big West) lost a heartbreaking overtime matchup, 62-60, against UC Riverside (16-11, 11-6 in Big West) at the SRC arena on Saturday, Feb. 24.
The Mustangs are coming off an 11-point home win against Cal State Fullerton and were looking to extend that winning streak against the Highlanders.
This was a crucial game, as the Mustangs would have been the third seed in the Big West Conference had they won tonight. The Mustangs have now dropped to the sixth seed in the Big West Conference, with the Highlanders securing the third seed.
The Mustangs are tied with the UC Santa Barbara in terms of record, but the Gauchos hold the season series advantage with a win at home. However, both teams will face off in their next matchup on Thursday, Feb. 29.
Cal Poly started off the game trading baskets back and forth with the Highlanders. Cal Poly senior Natalia Ackerman scored seven points in the first quarter.
She finished the first half with 12 points on five of seven shots from the field, along with six rebounds. Ackerman continues to play a key role for the Mustangs, averaging 12.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 57.8%. She also averages 8.3 rebounds, leading the Mustangs in that department.
Cal Poly junior Sydney Bourland also started the game strong, scoring six points in the first quarter. Cal Poly went on to win the second quarter 17 – 10 and led 33-23 at the half.
Both teams had a slow start coming out of halftime. The Mustangs only had four points in the first six minutes. They also committed four turnovers early to begin the third quarter. The Mustangs still need to tighten up on their turnovers as the Big West playoffs approach, as they average around 19.6 turnovers per game.
The turnovers began to fill up in the fourth quarter, which brought the Highlanders back into the game. They outscored the Mustangs 21-10 in the fourth quarter, and the lead, with a minute and 48 seconds left, brought the lead 47-46. However, Cal Poly graduate Ania McNicholas hit a three-pointer with a minute and 20 seconds left.
The Mustangs maintained a four-point lead with 23 seconds left, but the Highlanders were able to tie the game.
Both teams converted baskets back and forth to start overtime. UC Riverside junior Esther Matarranz, who led the team with 16 points, fouled out. With 54 seconds remaining, McNicholas hit a three to put the Mustangs up by three. Marshall of the Highlanders was then fouled on an and-one layup, which brought the game to a tie at 60-60.
Natalia Ackerman then turned the ball over for the Mustangs and Marshall made a game-winning layup. Marshall finished with 11 points off the bench.
The Mustangs had 24 turnovers, which is more than their season average at 19.5. The Highlanders were able to outscore the Mustangs 32 to 19 in the fourth quarter and overtime due to the drastic number of turnovers the Mustangs committed. Natalia Ackerman finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds. This is her ninth double-double of the season.
Up next, Cal Poly returns to the Mott Athletics Center to play UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 6 p.m.