Cal Poly men’s basketball team drops season finale at UC Santa Barbara
The Cal Poly men’s basketball team fell behind big early in the second half and never recovered in a 69-50 loss to UC Santa Barbara on Saturday in Santa Barbara.
The Mustangs learned Saturday that they will be the seventh seed in the Big West Tournament, and begin play with second-seeded UC Irvine (24-8, 13-3 Big West) on Thursday at 6 p.m. in Anaheim.
David Nwaba scored 15 points in the loss for Cal Poly (10-19, 4-12). He also had nine rebounds, as did Jaylon Shead. Cal Poly outrebounded UC Santa Barbara 42-40.
The Gauchos went on an 11-1 run out of the halftime break, and never led by less than five for the remainder of the game. Gabe Vincent and John Green each scored 14 points to lead UC Santa Barbara (17-12, 11-5). Green also had 10 rebounds.
Brian Bennett added 11 points for the Mustangs.
Cal Poly fell behind 12-2 to open the game, but closed the game to three by halftime.
The Mustangs struggled from the floor, shooting 27.6 percent from the field, including a dismal 4 of 28 from 3-point range.
The Gauchos shot 43.9 percent from the floor, and 6 of 12 from 3-point range.
Big West Tournament
Cal Poly is the seventh seed in the conference tournament beginning Thursday. The Mustangs will take on second seed UC Irvine at 6 p.m.
This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 7:32 PM with the headline "Cal Poly men’s basketball team drops season finale at UC Santa Barbara."