Mustangs outlast Titans

Cal Poly shot over 40 percent from the field for the first time in five conference games. By Owen Main

Joel Awich had a career-high in points (17) and blocks (4) and three Mustangs scored at least 15 points as Cal Poly beat Cal State Fullerton 66-55 in a Big West game Thursday night.

Juniors David Nwaba and Brian Bennett scored 18 and 15 points respectively in the Cal Poly win. Nwaba led the team with seven rebounds.

Cal Poly, who had lost three consecutive games in conference, was able to hold a second-half lead by shooting over 50 percent (22-40) from inside the three-point line.

Gotta get in it to win it

Perhaps this is a negative thing to write so early in the season, but the Fullerton game meant a lot for Cal Poly for a number of reasons. Yes, they snapped a three-game losing streak, but if the Mustangs want to stay clear of the Big West cellar (remember, only eight of the nine teams make the tournament), they must get wins against teams in the bottom half of the conference.

With the win on Thursday night, Joe Callero’s squad put themselves a game and a half clear of the last-place Titans in the Big West standings. Currently, fourth through eighth place is separated by a half game in the table.

The performance (A)wich we’ve all been waiting for

Joel Awich has the tools. At 6′ 7″, Awich glides through the air and is able to guard any front-court player.

Those tools were on display on Thursday as the junior was aggressive with his shot, taking a career-high 16 and making half of them. When he plays with confidence, Awich’s inside-out play can be a great compliment to David Nwaba’s outside-in, attacking mentality.

There can only be one

I can never get past UCR without a Highlander reference. Sorry.

The Highlanders come to town on Saturday night with an equal 2-3 record in conference play. Led by Trevor Johns, UC Riverside usually plays Cal Poly very tough.

Game time Saturday is 7:00 pm.

Photos by Owen Main. To view on on iPhone or iPad, click here.