Mustangs' Quest for Big West Glory Ends in UC Davis Defeat

The hopes of capturing a Big West championship came crashing down for the Cal Poly Mustangs women’s basketball team on Thursday, as they suffered a 56-48 loss against the UC Davis Aggies in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. Despite a valiant effort from several key players, the Mustangs’ dreams of glory were cut short in Henderson, Nevada.

Leading the charge for Cal Poly was graduate guard Ania McNicholas, who turned in an impressive all-around performance with 17 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Freshman Mary Carter and redshirt freshman Sierra Lichtie also chipped in with 10 points apiece, but their contributions were not enough to overcome the Aggies’ onslaught.

The Mustangs came out of the gates slowly, struggling to find their offensive rhythm in the opening quarter. However, their tenacious defense kept them within striking distance, holding UC Davis to just 13 points in the first ten minutes of play.

In the second quarter, Cal Poly managed to trim the deficit to five points, but a 7-0 run from the Aggies extended their lead to 22-10 with under five minutes remaining in the half. The Mustangs regrouped and went into the break trailing 28-18, setting the stage for an exciting second-half comeback attempt.

Coming out of the locker room, Cal Poly struck first, reducing the deficit to eight points. However, UC Davis responded with a 6-0 run of their own, pushing the lead back up to 34-20. Undeterred, the Mustangs dug deep and mounted a spirited defensive stand, holding the Aggies scoreless for five crucial minutes while chipping away at the lead.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Cal Poly found themselves trailing 41-30, but their resolve remained unwavering. They continued to chip away at the UC Davis lead, cutting it to six points with three minutes remaining. Forced turnovers and a fervent defensive effort brought the Mustangs within five points with a minute left on the clock. Carter’s bucket with 31 seconds remaining narrowed the gap to four, but it was too little, too late, as the Aggies held on for the hard-fought victory.

Despite the disappointing end to their Big West tournament run, the Cal Poly Mustangs can hold their heads high after a remarkable season in which they won 17 games and finished tied for third in the regular season standings. The team now sets its sights on a potential invitation to the WNIT, a 48-team tournament that will be announced on Sunday, March 17th, with first-round action scheduled for March 20-22.

As the curtain falls on another exhilarating chapter of March Madness, the Mustangs can take solace in the knowledge that their spirited play and unwavering determination have left an indelible mark on the hearts of their fans. While the quest for a Big West championship may have eluded them this year, the future remains bright for this talented group of student-athletes.