Joe Callero’s Cal Poly Mustangs are going to have to play a lot better than this to be competitive in the Big West Conference. On Friday night, Cal Poly wrapped up their 2012 home schedule, beating visiting Eastern New Mexico 60-57 in front of just over 1,000 winter-break fans at Mott Gym. Both teams led by 5 at some point in the game, but neither team led by more than that margin during the game.

Dylan Royer scored 9 points on 3-10 from 3-point range on Friday night. By Owen Main

While any win is a good win, the Mustangs are still trying to find their identity. Quick 3-pointers in transition and the inability to impose their collective will on their Division II opponent allowed Eastern New Mexico to lead for most of the first half. The Greyhounds’ biggest lead was by 5 points with 4:28 remaining in the first half. Eastern New Mexico led 29-28 going into halftime

It looked as though Cal Poly might begin to pull away in the second half. Cal Poly remained behind through much of the second half. Kyle Odister’s 3-pointer with 12:51 left in the game put Cal Poly ahead for good. While the Greyhounds stayed close, Cal Poly held on in the end when Rodney Blackmon’s desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer didn’t fall.

Blackmon, a small, quick point guard, lit up the Cal Poly defense for 22 points, including 3-7 from 3-point range.

Chris Eversley led the Mustangs with 14 points and 12 rebounds, his third double-double of the season. Despite a decided advantage in size, Cal Poly only outscored the Greyhounds 28-26 in the paint. The Mustangs had zero fast-break points in the game.

Callero’s post-game comments are interesting (below). With only two games to go, it seems like he’s still trying to find a rotation that will allow Cal Poly to find its identity defensively and play the kind of tempo he wants to play.

One thing remains clear: to beat, or even compete with Santa Clara (7-2) and Washington (5-4, 2011-12 Pac-12 Champions), Cal Poly has some work ahead of them.

[scrollGallery id=70]

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSRJL5CM08c

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfxsrHdtrDE

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0Pots8Akjg