18-13
California
18-15
Cal Poly Falls to California in Opening Round of WNIT
3/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Layshia Clarendon scored 20 points and Cal put together a 12-2 run midway through the second half to pull away as the Golden Bears opened defense of their 2010 Women's National Invitation Tournament championship with a 74-60 victory over Cal Poly on Thursday night in Mott Gym.
Afure Jemerigbe added 15 points while Talia Caldwell and Eliza Pierre each tallied 12 points as Cal improved to 18-15 and advanced to a second-round game against Colorado.
Cal Poly, making its first-ever postseason appearance, fell to 18-13 despite 21 points from Rachel Clancy, the Big West Conference Player of the Year, and a double-double -- 13 points and 12 rebounds -- by Abby Bloetscher (pictured above).
The lead changed hands three times and the score was tied six times in the first half before Cal went on a 9-0 run late in the half for a 32-23 lead and settled for a 32-28 advantage at the break.
Cal Poly was within six points at 48-42 with 14:52 to play on a layup by Kayla Griffin before Cal pulled away with its 12-2 run. Two free throws by Caldwell capped the spurt and gave the Golden Bears a 60-44 cushion with 7:26 to play.
Cal Poly, coached by Faith Mimnaugh, could get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way.
Cal made 43.1 percent of its floor shots, including five of 10 from three-point range, while holding Cal Poly to just 33.8 percent efficiency (three of 16 from long range). Cal also outrebounded Cal Poly 48-42, led by Caldwell with 17 and Pierre with nine.
The two teams were meeting for only the fourth time and the first since the 2002-03 season. Cal has won all four.
