0-1 (0-0BW)
Fresno State
1-0 (0-0MW)
Fresno State Holds on for 67-56 Win in Cal Poly's Season Opener
11/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
FRESNO, Calif. — The Cal Poly women's basketball team used a 15-4 second-half run to cut Fresno State's lead to six on Sunday afternoon at the Save Mart Center, but the Bulldogs regrouped down the stretch for a 67-56 season-opening home win.
A jumper by freshman guard Dynn Leaupepe with four-and-a-half minutes to play pulled the Mustangs to within 53-47.
After coming out of a timeout, though, Fresno State — a defending Mountain West Conference champion coming off seven straight NCAA Tournament seasons — found its next four points at the free-throw line on the way to building a 62-48 advantage by the two-minute mark.
The Bulldogs scored the first eight points of the game, but Cal Poly chipped away and brought itself to 23-20 thanks to a 3-pointer by senior guard Ariana Elegado that finished a 7-0 surge with 4:43 remaining until the break. It was 38-28 at halftime.
Leaupepe finished with a game-high 15 points and six rebounds, and her sister Lynn added nine points, five boards and a game-high three steals in her debut, as well.
Elegado had 10 points to go with her team-leading four assists.
Mustang senior forward Taryn Garza grabbed 13 rebounds (including six offensive), surpassing her previous career high of 12. She helped Cal Poly to an 18-8 advantage on second-chance points.
Hannah Gilbert was also a significant factor in the 51-46 rebounding margin for Cal Poly, as the sophomore secured a career-best nine.
Cal Poly will play at Loyola Marymount at 7 p.m. Friday before hosting Portland for its home opener at 1 p.m. Sunday in Mott Athletics Center.
