Molly Schlemer’s offensive game demands attention from opposing defenses. By Owen Main

One was a face-up big. The other loves to have her back to the basket.

One was a superstar from the beginning. The other took half her college career to blossom into a dominant force.

Their styles probably couldn’t be more different, but a pair of Righetti High School forwards have, over the course of the past six years, helped lead the Cal Poly women’s basketball program from a team that was perennially in the bottom half of the conference bracket into a four to five-year run of conference dominance.

The numbers bear it out. In the seven years leading up to Santiago’s freshman year (2000-01 year through 2006-07), Cal Poly had winning percentages of .445 (49-61) in conference and .438 (85-109) overall. In the six years since Santiago arrived, winning percentages have increased for the Mustangs to .684 (67-31) in Big West Conference play and .580 (109-79) overall. They have not won less than 11 games in conference since Santiago’s Freshman year.

It isn’t like these two have done it completely on their own. Building a winning atmosphere requires contributions from everyone from the assistant coaches to the last player off the bench.

Kristina Santiago enjoyed an MVP season in the Bulgarian League last year and is back in Ruse. Photo courtesy of Dunav 8806.

The year Santiago missed due to injury saw Rachel Clancy win Big West Player of the Year. Cal Poly players have won that award four straight years. Schlemer, the defending conference player of the year, has better numbers this year than last year. She has upped her activity rebounding and demands constant attention from opposing defenses as the conferences most dominant offensive player. Barring something completely unforseen or a collapse on the part of the team, Schlemer will raise that number to five this season.

There have been others. Point guard Jonae Ervin has led the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. Ariana Elegado is a constant outside threat who can create her own shot off the dribble — a valuable attribute at this level. Clancy, Kayla Griffin, and so many others have contributed to what has become a run of women’s basketball dominance that the Big West Conference hasn’t seen for some time.

Schlemer’s induction into the 1,000 point club is made even more remarkable by the fact that she averaged only nine minutes and 3.3 points per game during her first two seasons with Cal Poly.

Here’s a look at a few numbers from both Santiago and Schlemer:

* As of February 12, 2014

The two Righetti High School graduates have helped make the local school a perennial conference power. While coach Faith Mimnaugh loves great guard play, two post players with very different styles have helped the Mustangs establish a winning tradition at Mott Athletics Center.

If this March turns out the way San Luis Obispo fans hope, Schlemer could leave Cal Poly having won the program’s fifth consecutive Big West Conference Player of the Year award. Oh, and there’s also the matter of getting back to the NCAA Tournament.

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Post update – I just got back from the Cal Poly game against Cal State Northridge on Thursday night. That Matadors team looked REALLY good. They ran the Mustangs out of the gym. Like a buzz-saw. In a conference tournament it’s all about matchups and it looks like these two might be a good bet to meet in the conference final in March.

Photos by Owen Main

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Jonae Ervin can flat-out play. By Owen Main

Jonae, Jonae, Jonae.

Last week, Cal Poly’s senior point guard, Jonae Ervin, dropped 37 & 10 in a come from behind win over a team Coach Faith said should have been picked to finish first in Big West Conference Play? Good Lord girl! Put some water on that hot sauce!

What a week.

A few days later, the 5’3” guard weaved her 391^st career dime to surpass Laura Buehnin as the all time assists leader in Lady Mustang history. She clearly can do it all: third in points, first in assists, third in rebounds & first in steals. My only question is, do the Lady Mustangs have the depth to get themselves back to March’s big bracket?

I think they might.

Reigning Big West Player of the Year, Molly Schemer, has been dominant again this year. Averaging 18.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, Schlemer balances the outside attack of the small but speedy Ervin alongside Ariana Elegado. Elegado, anything but shy, is a guard who is willing to hoist and hoist until she catches fire. This less-than-bashful approach to her game (currently leading the team in shot attempts per game at 15.9) is a double edged sword, though she averages 16.5 points per game. Her and Ervin both shoot about 38 percent from the floor, but it’s their aggression that put teams out of position and on their heels. That’s when Schlemer, who shoots 57 percent from the floor, steps in.

Along with seniors Ervin and Schlemer, junior Ariana Elegado gives the Mustangs three players who can drop 30 points on a given night. By Owen Main

On to the role players.

It’s easy to see the firepower in the Mustangs’ Big Three, but I asked our own Mustang aficionado, Owen Main. He said that key role players include Taryn Garza, Kristen Ale, and Maddison Allen. Ale, a junior from Carson, CA is second only to Ervin in three-point shooting percentage, opening-up the floor for her teammates.

Garza, a scrappy forward, averages just six points per game, but is second on the team in rebounds per game (5.8) and provided the most-clutch moment of the season, scoring on a putback at the buzzer to send the Mustangs’ game last Wednesday vs. Hawai’i into overtime.

Allen is a remarkable athlete. Left-handed and long, the 6’4″ redshirt freshman from Australia is probably the team’s best defender, blocking over a shot per game.

Nwamaka Ofodu, another senior guard, has stepped in to a starting role recently and gets some minutes as a defensive stopper in the back court as well. These players, plus freshmen Hannah Gilbert (6′ 3″, Morro Bay High School), Sarah Lipton, and Rachel Koehler add a layered dimension to a team that could be better than last year’s squad that won the Big West Tournament and went to the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever. Main points to the continued dominance of Schlemer and the balanced guard play of Elegado and Ervin as the biggest reasons this year he’s bought in to the concept of a return to the dance.

If the defense chooses to sag on the reigning Big West Conference Player of the Year (Molly Schlemer), Cal Poly can put 3-4 shooters around the perimeter, including supersub Kristen Ale. By Owen Main

“They have so many weapons,” said Main. “You can double-team Schlemer in the post, but then Elegado, Ervin, Ale, and the others will kill you. If you don’t double Molly, she’s going to do something like score 37 points. Opponents really have to pick their poison and hope that whoever they leave open has a bad shooting night.”

I have a strong desire for Mustang glory. As a proud alumnus, I would more than love to see either the men or women’s basketball teams crowned champion in March. And while the majority of you might think I’m absolutely crazy (I am), I’m not stupid. I love the George Masons, VCU’s, St. Mary’s’ and Gonzagas of the world who prove that small schools can create a large legacy. Some mid-majors have shown they can compete at the highest of levels — yes, even in the Madness of the March bracket. All it takes are the few things happening lately in Mustang country: success, great coaching, a beautiful college town and setting, and great individual performances. The lady Mustangs have crowned four straight Big West Players of the Year. That really says something. And San Luis Obispo, as always, is heaven on earth.

Since I started watching them a few years ago, one thing has always been the case about Faith Mimnaugh’s Cal Poly women’s basketball team — almost every game is really entertaining to watch.

Last night, Mimnaugh’s team played at their usual high-tempo, besting the San Francisco Dons 76-65.

The game featured last year’s Big West Conference player of the year, Molly Schlemer, who poured-in 18 second-half points and finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jonae Ervin and Ariana Elegado also had really good games, proving why Cal Poly should probably be the favorite to win the conference again this season.

It was the first time I’ve seen Mimnaugh’s team in-person this year, so here are some keys to the game and some generalizations I’m willing to make after game-eight of the 2013-14 season.

Along with Jonae Ervin, Ariana Elegado (pictured) is really skilled at driving to the basket. By Owen Main

Depth

This team seems really deep. They bring in two athletic players who are above six feet tall off the bench. Freshmen Maddison Allen (6’4″ – Brisbane, Australia) and Hannah Gilbert (6′ 3″ – Morro Bay, CA) coming into the game together means that Cal Poly can take their starting front-court, which includes the 6′ 5″ Schlemer, out of the game and get bigger overall on their front line.

Gilbert and Allen both move really well for post players and seem to play really solid defense. Gilbert seems to have a decently-polished offensive game, too, meaning that the Mustangs have four post players who can really dominate at least one end of the floor at any given time.

Last night, in a close game, Cal Poly played 11 players, nine of whom played double-digit minutes. When you play with the pace this team does, you need depth and depth is definitely something they have.

Shooting

Guards Jonae Ervin and Ariana Elegado have proven over the past few years that they can score as effectively as Schlemer on any given night. To compliment their drives and Schlemer’s post presence, Cal Poly has a number of players they can spot-up around the perimeter. Junior Kristen Ale and sophomore Beth Balbierz seem to always be open with all the attention Schlemer, Ervin, and Elegado draw collectively.

Lefties

This team sometimes plays three left-handed players at the same time. Allen, Balbierz and Ale are all southpaws (am I missing anyone?), providing a little different look for opposing defenders.

The “Big 3”

Whoever is in the game throughout the first 30 minutes, you know seniors Schlemer and Ervin along with Elegado — a junior — will be in the thick of things at the end. Last night, they collectively racked-up 44 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Together, they are the main reason why Cal Poly should be a strong contender to win the Big West regular season title for third time in four years en route to the Big West Conference Tournament, where they’ll contend for back-to-back titles this season.

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

When Molly Schlemer’s Big West Player of the Year Award was announced, Cal Poly head coach Faith Mimnaugh couldn’t contain her excitement. You can watch it at about 4:50 of the press conference video below, but here’s the quote:

“It was probably one of my all-time favorite basketball moments thus far,” said Schlemer. “I had just got out of practice, and I was sitting on my stool in front of my locker and coach Faith runs in… jumps on the couch, goes ‘Molly got player of the year!’ and then jumps off and runs out.”

“It didn’t hit me until a minute or two after.”

You can find head coach Faith Mimnaugh’s press conference comments here.

Schlemer became the fourth consecutive Big West Women’s player of the year from Cal Poly, following Kristina Santiago (2009-10 and 2011-12) and Rachel Clancy (2010-11). The junior center from Santa Maria, who didn’t even make her high school all-conference team as a senior, has now been recognized as the best player in the Big West.

“I was really excited for Molly but also for the team because in my experience in coaching it’s the team that wins that award. If we hadn’t finished in first place I don’t think Rachel Clancy would have won the award… because the team did well,” said Mimnaugh. “As you heard from Molly, she recognizes that her achievement is a direct result of having great teammates around her, unselfish teammates around her, but also she worked her butt off to put herself in that position.”

Molly Schlemer earned Big West Player of the Year honors this week. By David Livingston

Schlemer was joined on the all-conference team by Jonae Ervin, Ariana Elegado, and Kayla Griffin, all of whom earned Honorable Mention praise. Griffin also earned the hustle award, becoming the fourth Mustang to earn the award.

On the men’s side, forward Chris Eversley was awarded first-team all-Conference for his outstanding play. Eversley led Cal Poly to their best-ever conference record and an undefeated conference season at home.

With less than a minute remaining and the final regular season game in the balance on Saturday night versus Cal State Fullerton, Eversley got the ball at the top of the key, drove, and scored on a left-handed Gervin-like finger-roll to help seal the victory and his spot as one of the top players in the Big West.

Both Cal Poly teams now look toward Anaheim and the Honda Center.

The men will play on Thursday at 2:30 against UC Davis, with whom they split the season series. In Davis, Corey Hawkins threw in a last-second shot to give the Aggies the win and the Mustangs their first conference loss. Cal Poly avenged themselves in San Luis Obispo, winning 68-53 in a game played mostly without Eversley, who injured himself in the game. The men’s bracket re-seeds after the first round.

On the women’s side, Cal Poly earned a bye into the semifinals on Friday at 2:30. For the most up-to-date information visit www.bigwest.org and www.gopoly.com.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZf-g1PoU6s

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPDiWwl-nGU

The Cal Poly women’s basketball team seems to once again be on their way toward a top-4 seed in the Big West Tournament. Faith Mimnaugh’s team took apart UC Riverside two nights after doing the same to Cal State Fullerton. The Cal Poly ladies are, like the men’s team, undefeated in conference at home.

Photos by David Livingston

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On Thursday night, Faith Mimnaugh’s Cal Poly women’s basketball team dismantled the Cal State Fullerton Titans, winning 78-40. Cal Poly junior center Molly Schlemer shot 8-10 from the field for 19 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. Guard Jonae Ervin filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists.

With the win, Cal Poly continues a strong trend toward an advantage at Mott that extends to the men’s team as well. The Mustang women are 4-0 at home so far in conference play, while the men are also 4-0 at home

Photos by David Livingston

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Jonae Ervin and the Mustangs seem headed in the right direction, but the player whose numbers may matter the most is not a guard. By Owen Main

Cal Poly’s Molly Schlemer has earned Big West Player of the Week honors for her performances in Cal Poly’s Big West home sweep last weekend. Schlemer, a Santa Maria native, led the Mustangs to a pair of wins by a total of three points and the Mustangs improved to 3-1 in conference play. In sweeping UC Davis and Pacific over the weekend, Schlemer scored 40 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.

Faith Mimnaugh’s two-time defending regular season championship team continues to be nothing if not interesting. Their run-and-gun style of play features two point guards on the floor at any time, usually four players who can shoot 3-pointers, and Schlemer who, at 6’5″, is one of the tallest and strongest players in the conference. No lead or deficit seems safe with this bunch.

On Thursday night, Cal Poly gave up a nine-point first half lead before holding on to win the game by two points behind Brittany Woodard’s career-high 21 points. On Saturday, Cal Poly eeked out a triple-overtime thriller at Mott Gym that saw four players foul-out, including Schlemer. Three players, Cal Poly’s Kayla Griffin and Pacific’s Kendall Rodriguez and Erica McKenzie played at least 50 minutes in the game. Cal Poly’s Jonae Ervin, last year’s national leader in assist to turnover ratio, sank two free throws with 8 seconds left in the third overtime to seal the victory.

What remains interesting is Mimnaugh’s tinkering with the Mustangs’ lineup. After a hot start to the season, Schlemer didn’t even start the game on Thursday, instead being used as a substitute. Schlemer has played limited minutes in conference despite being dominant at times. She has played 13, 14, 15, and 28 minutes. The only game the Mustangs lost was the only game Schlemer didn’t score in double-figures. As much as Mimnaugh loves guard play, the Mustangs’ bellwether in conference play this year may be Schlemer.

For last weekend, at least, that was fine for the home fans and home team at Mott Gym.

Photos by Owen Main

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Cal Poly split their two games leading up to Christmas. By Owen Main

Cal Poly women’s basketball hosted the University of San Francisco Dons on Monday night. After USF lost recently by over 40 points to Cal State Fullerton, Cal Poly got behind early and could not come back, losing 71-67.

On Thursday night, the Mustangs beat Loyola Marymount at Mott Gym 84-71, completing the per-conference portion of their schedule with a 6-5 record.

With a pair of fast, small point guards leading the way, Cal Poly is much more successful at a fast pace. Games in the high 70’s and 80’s are what coach Faith Mimnaugh wants. Now that Jonae Ervin is rounding back into form, she and Ariana Elegado are playing a lot together, pushing the already-torrid pace that the Mustangs prefer.

Two things I’ll watch for as the conference season begins are whether Cal Poly can continue to play fast-paced enough to score 75-plus points per game and how center Molly Schlemer fits-in to the fast-paced offense Mimnaugh so-clearly wants to maintain. In the loss to San Francisco, Schlemer played just 17 minutes, but still managed to score 13 points on 6-6 from the field.

In the win vs. LMU, Schlemer was back in the starting lineup, netting a double-double (14 points and 11 rebounds) and the Mustangs were able to score 84 points in the win.

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