3-12,1-4Big West
CSUN
6-8,2-3Big West
McManus Drops 31 But Mustangs Fall at Home to CSUN Thursday
1/8/2026 9:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly sophomore guard Vanessa McManus recorded her second game of the season with over 30 points, but the Mustang women’s basketball team fell at home Thursday night to CSUN, 77-68.
McManus finished with a game-high 31 points on 10-18 shooting, three points off her career high from earlier this season. She scored 21 of those in the first half. Freshman forward Charish Thompson added 15 points and five rebounds for the Mustangs (3-12, 1-4 Big West).
For CSUN, Jite Gbemuotor led them with 16 points, while Morgan Edwards posted 15 points and Mariona Cos-morales chipped in 13. The Matadors shot 45 percent as a team and collected 18 offensive rebounds that they turned into 21 second chance points.
It was a tight, back-and-forth first half. CSUN jumped out early with stout defense and efficient scoring, opening the game on an 18-14 edge after the first 10 minutes. The Matadors extended their lead in the second stanza, outscoring Cal Poly 22-20 to take a 40-34 advantage into the break.
In the third, CSUN extended its lead to 12 by the time the fourth quarter rolled around. Cal Poly continued to fight and slowly chipped away at the Matador lead, getting it down to as little as six. Despite the late surge, the Mustangs couldn’t fully erase the deficit as the Matadors held on for the 77-68 victory.
The Mustangs will head on the road up north to face UC Davis Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will air on ESPN+.
