Photos – Mustangs beat Antelope Valley, move to 4-2

Brian Bennett continues to get more minutes for Cal Poly. By Owen Main

Cal Poly outscored NAIA University of Antelope Valley 49-28 in the second half on Saturday night and cruised to an 85-55 victory at Mott Athletics Center. Five Mustangs scored in double-figures, including three off the bench.

The Pioneers took advantage of some poor Cal Poly outside shooting and six Mustang turnovers in the first half to trim the lead to single-digits at the break. Cal Poly, which has shot well from three-point range all season, was just 3-14 in the first half (21.4%).

In the second half, Cal Poly dialed it up, going 6-14 (42.9%) as they pulled away. Reese Morgan and Ridge Shipley were both 2-3 in the second half from downtown. The total of 28 three-point attempts seems like a lot, but Cal Poly is going to be taking good, open, rhythm shots this year.

Bennett rounding into form

A big key to Cal Poly maintaining the lead they did in the first half was the solid inside play of Brian Bennett. Bennett, who is still playing his way into shape after a foot injury, had his way in the first half to the tune of 10 points on 5-5 shooting from the field.

Reigning Big West Player of the week Joel Awich joined Bennett with 14 points apiece. Luke Meikle, Shipley, and Morgan rounded out the list of Mustangs in double figures. with 13, 12 and 10 points respectively.

Joel Awich gives Cal Poly a versatile stretch-four who can play inside or knock-down a spot-up jumper. By Owen Main

Awich aggressive

Senior forward Joel Awich’s rise in confidence is really easy to see. He is shooting outside shots without hesitation and taking the ball to the basket with malicious intent. One of the highest-flyers on the team, Awich ran the floor well and is missing some offensive uncertainty he’s displayed in the past. He is averaging 15.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game through the team’s first six games, while shooting a blistering 48 percent from three-point range.

If his outside shot can continue to fall, Awich’s aggressive offensive game will keep Cal Poly’s offense, which is averaging over 75 points per game, humming.

Taylor Sutlive spent a portion of the second half running the point on Saturday night. By Owen Main

Sutlive at the point?

For a good portion of the second half, sophomore Taylor Sutlive ran the point for Cal Poly. While we shouldn’t expect Sutlive to be bringing the ball up a lot of the time, the sophomore looks spry enough to do it after having to sit out last season with a knee injury. Sutlive ended the game with six assists and no turnovers, shooting 2-6 from three-point range (2-8 overall). David Nwaba, finished with a team-high seven assists and Cal Poly, which had six turnovers in the first half, committed just one in the second half.

If Cal Poly head coach Joe Callero can pencil-in 75-plus points and single digit turnovers before any game, I think he likes his team’s chances.

Every time I sit down

Every time I sit down mid-game to edit photos, tweet, or start to write, Zach Gordon immediately slams it home. It’s been like clockwork so far… . I guess I only have a two-game sample size, but I’ve already missed three dunks and I haven’t sat down at games very often this year.

Homestanding

After losing their first two games, Cal Poly has now won four in a row in preparation for their two best non-conference opponents visiting San Luis Obispo this season. On Thursday night, the Mustangs will host the 6-1 IPFW Mastadons. The Mastadons have made a postseason tournament each of the past two seasons. Last season, Cal Poly beat them in Fort Wayne behind 20 points from Michael Bolden in what was his best shooting game in his two years at Cal Poly.

Following the IPFW game on Thursday, Cal Poly hosts Fresno State on Saturday night. Cal Poly last hosted Fresno State three years ago, a game that Cal Poly lost 76-67. Brian Bennett, Reese Morgan, and Zach Gordon all played in that game. Cal Poly has lost each of the past two seasons in Fresno against the Bulldogs and will try to break their mini losing streak on Saturday night.

For their part, Fresno State is 5-0 on the young season and plays at Oregon tonight and hosts The Masters College before road-tripping to the coast to play the Mustangs on Saturday.

These are the final two home games before conference play starts in January. Both games are scheduled to start at 7:00pm.

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