Mustangs Host Rival UCSB Thursday for Pivotal Big West Game

Thursday, February 29

San Luis Obispo, Calif.

6 P.M.

UCSB

Tickets

Photo by: Owen Main | Cal Poly Athletics

Mustangs Host Rival UCSB Thursday for Pivotal Big West Game

2/28/2024 8:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball

WEEKLY NOTES (PDF)

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly women's basketball currently finds itself in the thick of the hunt for a top four seed in the upcoming Big West Championship in Henderson, Nev. and Thursday's game at home against Blue-Green rival UCSB has big implications on it.

The Mustangs (14-11, 10-6 BW) host the Gauchos (16-10, 10-6 BW) at 6 p.m. inside Mott Athletics Center. It's a 'Green Out' game with all fans who attend encouraged to wear Cal Poly green.

Both teams are tied for fifth place at 10-6 in the Big West standings. Whoever wins will at least move into a tie for fourth place in the Big West standings. The top four seeds in the upcoming Big West Championship receive a first round bye into the eight-team tournament.

Last week, the Mustangs took down Cal State Fullerton at home before suffering a heartbreaking 62-60 overtime loss at UC Riverside.

In the win over Fullerton, Shah recorded her first career double-double as she became the first Mustang in 10 years to record double figure assists in a game. Meanwhile, senior forward Natalia Ackerman recorded double-doubles in both games to now have nine for the season.

Shah leads the Mustangs in scoring at 12.6 points per game which ranks ninth in the Big West. Shah is also the top free throw shooter in the Big West at 95 percent and is 56-59. It is on pace to break Cal Poly's single season free throw percentage record. One ot the top sharp shooters in the Big West, Shah ranks third in the conference in three point percentage at an 41.3 percent which ranks 30th in the nation.

Ackerman is second on the team in scoring at 12.3 points per game which ranks 11th in the Big West. She leads the Big West in field goal percentage (58 percent) and blocks (1.9 per game) which is 35th in the nation. Her 8.4 rebounds per game leads the team and ranks third in the Big West.

As a team in conference games, the Mustangs lead the Big West in field goal percentage and are second in assists, blocks, scoring, three-point percentage and free throw percentage.

The Mustangs have been doing this all with a very new and young team. There are nine newcomers to the team with just four returners. The four returners are Shah, Ackerman, redshirt freshman Sierra Lichtie, and junior guard Sydney Bourland. The nine newcomers consist of four Division I transfers and five true freshmen.

Following Saturday's game, the Mustangs will play their final two games of the regular season next week, both at home, as they host UC Irvine Thursday and UC San Diego Saturday.

SCOUTING UCSB: The Gauchos have lost back-to-back games coming into this week. Forward Alexis Whitfield leads UCSB in scoring and rebounding and is the only Big West player averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game. Cal Poly is looking to avenge a 65-64 overtime loss to the Gauchos earlier this season.

SCOUTING CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD: The Roadrunners are fighting to be in the top eight in the Big West standings and get a bid to the Big West Championship. Currently, they are ninth and one game back of eighth. They have the Big West's second leading scorer in Shaunae Brown, who averages just under 15 points per game. Cal Poly has won the last three meetings with Cal State Bakersfield.