UC-Riverside Highlanders (3-8, 2-0) @ Cal Poly Mustangs (5-7, 1-2)
Following two horrible games for PG Aki Mosley, he scored on a breakaway in the first 15 seconds of the game. But then two starters (SF Jason Fleming and C Roland Holland) were sent to the bench with 2 fouls apiece in the first 2-1/2 minutes of the game. Even though Coach Aura had to use a makeshift lineup throughout the half, the teams stayed close and the Mustangs came away with a 35-33 edge when the half ended.
Cal Poly went on an 11-0 run the begin the first half. But the Mustangs’ shooting went ice cold and the Highlanders scored 14 unanswered points to take a 3 point lead with 8 minutes to go. With 53 seconds remaining, the game was tied at 61-61. Jason Fleming picked off a pass and got it up to Denny Grove who blew a dunk but was fouled. He dropped both free throws through the hoop to put the Mustangs up by 2 with 35 seconds to go. After a miss by UC Riverside, SG Dean Plowman was intentionally fouled with 12 seconds left. Plowman calmly sunk both shots. The Highlanders got it up court quickly and fired in a 3 with 5 seconds to go. Mosley was fouled as soon as the ball was inbounded. Ignoring the pressure, he hit both free throws. A midcourt desperation lob by the Highlanders just before the buzzer sounded was off the mark and Cal Poly escaped with a 67-64 victory.
PF Denny Grove had a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds plus he had 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. PG Aki Mosley scored 12 and SG Dean Plowman hit for 10 points. Reserves Victor Carson, Terrell Alexander, and John Gibbs combined to score 22 points. 8 Mustangs’ reserves were on the court a total of 89 minutes.
Coach Aura said, “Tonight we needed the entire team to get into the fray and play well and for many of them to play a variety of positions and take on different roles. And they did it and we came away with a real team win.”