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Cal State Bakersfield
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Mustangs Come Up Just Short to Cal State Bakersfield Thursday
1/29/2026 9:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Vanessa McManus and Dulci Vail combined for 35 points, but the Mustangs came up just short Thursday at home to Cal State Bakersfield, 62-58.
McManus, coming back after missing the last three games, finished with a team leading 18 points and eight rebounds. Vail added a season high 17 points and seven rebounds.
Cal Poly started the game off strong, getting out to a 16-5 lead in the first quarter. They led by as much as 17 in the second quarter before a 8-0 run by the Roadrunners cut the Cal Poly lead down to six. The Mustangs led at halftime, 33-26.
Things turned in the second half as Cal Poly turned it over 18 times (27 for the game) which Cal State Bakersfield turned into 26 points. The Roadrunners outscored the Mustangs by nine in the third to take a two point lead into the fourth.
The final period was back-and-forth and tightly contested. The Roadrunners took a seven point lead with 2:37 left before the Mustangs clawed back with a 5-0 run over the next two minutes to cut it to two with 44 seconds left. With five seconds left, the Mustangs fouled down two to send Cal State Bakersfield to the free throw line. Both free throws were missed but the Roadrunner shooter grabbed the rebound and then made both free throws after that to seal the win.
The Mustangs stay at home Saturday to take on UC Riverside for a 2 p.m. tip inside Mott Athletics Center.
