1-3
Robert Morris
2-2
Cal Poly Falls to Robert Morris on Day 1 of ShareSLO Beach Classic, 66-50
11/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The Cal Poly women's basketball team closed within four points of Robert Morris early in the third quarter Friday afternoon while opening a three-game homestand, but the back-to-back defending Northeast Conference champions pulled away to earn a 66-50 win on Day 1 of the #ShareSLO Holiday Beach Classic inside Mott Athletics Center.
Robert Morris led 14-6 after the first quarter, before taking its largest first-half lead at 22-10 on a 3-pointer by Laura Carrasco 5:37 before the break. Back-to-back 3s by senior forward Emily Anderson, however, capped a 9-2 run by the Mustangs to narrow the deficit to 24-19 with 2:20 to play in the period (en route to a 28-19 margin at halftime).
A layup by senior forward Lynn Leaupepe brought Cal Poly within 28-24 with 7:30 remaining in the third quarter, finishing a 5-0 run to open the second half.
The Colonials would finish the third with seven straight points over the final 1:02 of the quarter, though, to take a commanding 48-31 advantage into the fourth.
Cal Poly junior center Devin Stanback converted a layup with 8:15 left in regulation to bring the Mustangs as close as 50-38, but Robert Morris scored the next 11 points to take its largest lead of the game, 61-38, with 5:58 to go.
Leaupepe led the Mustangs with 10 points, while senior center Nikki Fausey had a team-high seven rebounds, and guards Dye Stahley and Gabby Grupalo each distributed four assists.
Nneka Ezeigbo paced RMU (2-2) with team highs of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Tournament play will continue both Saturday (2 p.m.; San Francisco vs. Robert Morris) and Sunday (12 noon; San Francisco at Cal Poly). Admission is free both days, and fans are welcomed to bring non-perishable items to Mott for the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo.
Cal Poly (1-3) will conclude its homestand by hosting Cal State Monterey Bay at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
