Hannah Gilbert had career highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds. By Owen Main

On Saturday afternoon at Mott Athletics Center, Cal Poly women’s basketball used a surge late in the first half to erase most of a 14-point deficit and kept the momentum going into the second half to beat Portland 76-67 in their home opener.

Ariana Elegado led the Mustangs’ attack with 19 points and five assists. Sophomore center Hannah Gilbert notched career-high totals of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Gilbert, who hails from Morro Bay High School, has taken the place of departed Big West Player of the Year winner Molly Schlemer in this year’s lineup.

Senior Kristin Ale, who looked a step quicker and a bit more aggressive on the offensive end than she did a season ago, also tallied 16 points in the game.

The early 14-point deficit came on the heels of a 15-4 Portland run during which Cal Poly missed 12 of 14 shots and four straight free throws. Eventually the Mustangs

The first half was one of the slowest halves I’ve seen. In it, Cal Poly drew 7 offensive fouls from Portland and the officials called 27 fouls. Once the game settled down and got some flow in the second half, Cal Poly was able to take control. With Elegado pushing the ball, freshman sisters Lynn and Dynn Leaupepe played strong defense and got out on the break.

Gilbert used her speed as well to beat her post counterparts down the court, setting-up Cal Poly’s wing players to get open for shots and drives.

Cal Poly, which plays four games at home this week is now 2-1 on the season. The Mustangs host Pepperdine on Tuesday at 7:00. On Friday and Saturday, the Mustangs will host Dartmouth and Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Those games will start at 5:00 pm.

Photos by Owen Main

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