Cal Poly Outguns UC Riverside 94-87 Behind Balanced Attack

Cal Poly's high-powered offense proved too much for UC Riverside to handle, as the Mustangs rode a balanced attack to a 94-87 victory at the SRC Arena. Despite a valiant effort from Andrew Henderson, who poured in 39 points for UC Riverside, Cal Poly's depth and scoring punch ultimately decided the outcome. The win marked a significant departure from the pre-game prediction, as CHD Scout had forecasted a narrow 79-78 victory for UC Riverside, with the Highlanders expected to win by 1.1 points.

The game got off to a frenetic pace, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a clear advantage. Cal Poly took a slim 46-44 lead into the halftime break, with Hamad Mousa and Peter Bandelj leading the charge. Mousa finished with 26 points and 6 rebounds, while Bandelj chipped in 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Mustangs' supporting cast also played a crucial role, as Austin Goode added 16 points to the cause.

UC Riverside, meanwhile, relied heavily on the exploits of Henderson, who was unstoppable at times. The Highlanders' star guard knocked down shot after shot, finishing with 39 points on the night. Marqui Worthy Jr. provided some secondary scoring, tallying 18 points and 7 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with Cal Poly's onslaught.

As the second half wore on, Cal Poly began to pull away, using a combination of timely shooting and stingy defense to build a double-digit lead. The Mustangs outscored UC Riverside 48-43 in the final 20 minutes, with their offense humming along at a high level. Despite a late push from the Highlanders, Cal Poly's cushion proved insurmountable, and they closed out the 94-87 win.

The loss was a Quad 4 defeat for UC Riverside, which could have implications for their tournament resume down the line. For Cal Poly, the victory also fell into the Quad 4 category, but it was a much-needed win nonetheless. With both teams hovering around the .500 mark, every non-conference victory is crucial in terms of building momentum and bolstering their postseason chances.

In the end, Cal Poly's strong team performance and the standout effort from Hamad Mousa proved too much for UC Riverside to overcome. As the Mustangs look to build on this win, they'll hope to carry their high-scoring offense into their upcoming games. For UC Riverside, the focus will shift to regrouping and preparing for their next challenge, with the goal of avoiding further Quad 4 losses that could damage their tournament aspirations. The win improves Cal Poly's record to 9-14, while UC Riverside falls to 8-15, and the implications of this result will be closely watched as the season enters its final stretch.