Cal State Bakersfield
Mustangs Host Pair of Games This Week in Mott
1/28/2026 4:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Fighting for a spot in the Big West Championship, Cal Poly women’s basketball hosts two big games this week inside Mott Athletics Center.
The Mustangs (3-16, 1-8 Big West) will host Cal State Bakersfield Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. and UC Riverside Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. For both games, students who attend will receive a free ‘Stang Gang’ shirt. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+ with links to those as well as live stats on the schedule page.
Cal Poly has two players who rank in the top 13 in the Big West in scoring. Sophomore guard Vanessa McManus ranks third at 19.2 points per game, which is 27th in the nation. She has scored in double figures in all but two games she’s played this season, including over 20 six times and over 30 twice.
Meanwhile, freshman forward Charish Thompson is having an exceptional start to her college career. She is second on the team and 13th in the Big West in scoring at 13.6 points per game. She’s also been very efficient in her shooting to the tune of 48.8 percent which ranks fifth in the Big West. Both Thompson and McManus rank in the top five in the Big West in free throw percentage.
The Roadrunners are 6-13 on the season overall and are tied with Cal Poly at 1-8 in Big West play. They have lost their last three games and six of seven. They are led by Chrishawn Coleman, who is fourth in the Big Wes in scoring at 17.1 points per game. Cal Poly leads Bakersfield in the all-time series 13-7. The Mustangs have won the last six meetings.
The Highlanders are 6-13 overall and 4-5 in Big West play. They head into the week having lost their last three games. They have the leading scorer in the Big West in Hannah Wickstrom who is averaging 22.3 points per game. This will be the second game against UC Riverside this season, with the Highlanders winning the first back in December, 63-46. This will be the 86th all-time meeting with UC Riverside holding a slight edge 44-41. Cal Poly will be looking to snap a six game losing skid to the Highlanders.
Following Saturday’s game, the Mustangs will be on the road at CSUN Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
