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Cal Poly’s Second Half Comeback Falls Just Short Against UCSB
1/22/2026 10:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Playing without two of its top three scorers, Cal Poly women’s basketball put up and incredible fight Saturday against UC Santa Barbara, coming back from down 23 in the second half but came up just short at home against the Gauchos, 61-51.
It was the Mustang freshmen who picked up the scoring effort in the absence of leading scorer Vanessa McManus as well as Nora Perez. Guard Katie Peiffer led the Mustangs with a season high 15 points while forward Dulci Vail had a season high of 14 points and six rebounds.
Vail scored Cal Poly’s first 10 points of the game as she single handedly kept the Mustangs with the Gauchos in the first quarter. Cal Poly led 16-15 after the first quarter but were outscored by UCSB 23-6 in the second quarter and trailed 38-22 at the half.
After UCSB scored to lead it 47-24 with seven minutes left in the third, Cal Poly finished the quarter on a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 12 to start the fourth. The Mustangs continued to slowly chip away in the fourth, eventually getting within four with just under 30 seconds left.
However, the Mustangs were unable to score again as the Gauchos made their free throws to extend their lead and close the door on Cal Poly.
The Mustangs now go on the road to face Cal State Fullerton Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip on ESPN+.
