As time winded down and Kobe Sanders was taken from the game, he and head coach John Smith had a long embrace near the midcourt line.
The Mustangs matchup against CSU Bakersfield was the last home game the two would share together.
Cal Poly announced Friday, March 1, that the school will part ways with Smith at the end of the season. Sanders also likely played his final game with the Mustangs after four seasons.
Cal Poly held a lead heading into halftime but ended up dropping the final home contest of the season to CSU Bakersfield by a score of 68-56.
The Mustangs (4-26, 0-18 BW) shot a scorching 52% from the field in the first half, which was overshadowed by a 54% second half from the Roadrunners (13-17, 8-11 BW).
A hot first half was followed by a frigid second half, allowing Bakersfield to pull ahead with a 13-2 run to open the half. Kaleb Higgins’ 21 points led the Roadrunners to go along with 21 points from the Roadrunners bench.
Senior guard Kobe Sanders’ 24 points was the only Mustang to score in double figures while also collecting six rebounds.
Smith reflected on his journey to Cal Poly and his time at the school.
“I went into coaching at 22,” Smith said after the game. “Cal Poly gave me a chance and I’m thankful for giving me a chance… It just didn’t work out”
Although the win total over the past five years at Cal Poly was not at a successful level, Smith was able to make connections and bond with players.
“Coaching is what I do, not who I am,” Smith said. “When I coach, I coach in the same mindset as a father… It’s a 40-year degree, not a four-year degree.”
It’s a mindset that resonated with Sanders, who called Smith one of the greatest leaders he played for.
Although Sanders doesn’t know what his future holds, he looks back fondly on his last four years.
“Four years of a player-coach connection I wouldn’t change for the world,” Sanders said.
Men’s basketball looks to get its first win of the conference schedule against UC Irvine Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m inside the Bren Event Arena.