The USF Dons probably came into tonight’s contest with Cal Poly probably expecting an easy game, but the Mustangs didn’t get the memo. USF got off to a solid start, making some shots and getting out to a 10-5 lead after a Tyrell Roberts three. That would be as good as it would get in the first half for the Dons.
USF went cold from the floor, and also started to get sloppy, just like they did on Monday night. The Dons went nearly five and a half minutes without scoring, while Cal Poly did just enough to take an 11-10 lead. It was not beautiful basketball. Cal Poly started to get into some foul trouble, allowing USF to settle in from the line and tie the game up at 20. The Mustangs took some momentum into the half though, scoring six straight points at one point near the end of the half, and the Dons headed into the locker room trailing 27-24.
USF came out of the half determined, and Cal Poly looked a little flustered. Tyrell Roberts scored six quick points, and Cal Poly couldn’t do anything on offense, turning it over four times within the first three minutes of the half. The Dons kept playing tough defense, but struggled to hit from the outside. They clawed their way to a seven point lead, but more missed threes by the Dons allowed Cal Poly to cut the lead to three. Cal Poly failed to fully capitalize on USF’s mistakes, missing four straight free throws that if made could’ve given the Mustangs the lead.
War Memorial exploded when Khalil Shabazz finally hit a Dons three, giving USF some momentum, before Saba Gigiberia layed it in to give USF an eight point lead. The Dons continued to play tough defense, forcing more Cal Poly turnovers and hitting just enough shots to close out the Mustangs. Things got a little chippy at the end after Chance Hunter ran into Toni Rocak, a flagrant one foul, and in the end the Dons won 60-48. USF is now 2-0, and will turn their attention to UC Merced on Sunday.
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