Green vs. Gold
10/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The Green team hit nine 3-pointers during the Cal Poly men's basketball program's annual preseason intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday evening, leading the way to a 59-12 win over the Gold squad in Mott Athletics Center.
A basket down low by sophomore forward Luke Meikle (redshirting after transferring from Gonzaga) cut an early deficit to 7-4, but assistant coach Sam Kirby's group, which led wire-to-wire during the exhibition comprised of four seven-minute quarters, went on a 28-0 run that lasted until three-and-a-half minutes after halftime.
Anthony Silvestri (shown at right), a senior forward who sank four shots from long range, scored a game-best 14 points, as did sophomore guard Taylor Sutlive, who knocked down a pair of 3s in his own right.
Orchestrating the offense, senior guard Maliik Love added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists while also claiming two steals.
Junior forward Joel Awich also was in double-figures in the win, with 10 points. Junior center Brian Bennett pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
Senior wing Michael Bolden led the Gold with eight points, while true freshman post Aleks Abrams grabbed a game-high nine rebounds (including four offensive) in the loss.
Awich and Bolden both had dunks in the game, previewing the dunk contest that was to come.
Both advanced to the final in the postgame competition, and while Bolden perhaps brought out the loudest reaction from the crowd of nearly 1,500 by executing a through-the-legs slam, Awich ultimately won on consistency, compiling a two-round total of 93.
The Mustangs, who last year advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, will open the season at Nevada at 3 p.m. Nov. 15 before hosting their home opener versus San Francisco State at 7 p.m. Nov. 18.
