Cal Poly pulled off a stunning upset at the Mott Athletics Center, taking down UC Davis 84-78 in a non-conference matchup. The Mustangs, ranked 269 in the net rankings, handed the Aggies, ranked 178, a significant loss that will surely send shockwaves through the college basketball world. This victory is a monumental upset, considering the large disparity in net rankings between the two teams.
The Aggies came out strong, leading 40-30 at halftime, but Cal Poly stormed back in the second half, outscoring UC Davis 54-38. Hamad Mousa was the catalyst for the Mustangs' comeback, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. His dominant performance was complemented by Peter Bandelj's 14 points and Cayden Ward's 13 points and 8 rebounds. The Mustangs' balanced attack and relentless pressure on defense ultimately proved too much for the Aggies to handle.
Nils Cooper led the charge for UC Davis, tallying 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Carl Daughtery Jr. also chipped in with 18 points, while Connor Sevilla added 11 points. Despite their best efforts, the Aggies were unable to contain Cal Poly's high-powered offense, which shot efficiently from the field and capitalized on UC Davis's turnovers.
The loss is a significant setback for UC Davis, which was looking to build momentum heading into the second half of the season. The Aggies' net ranking of 178 will likely take a hit, and this Quadrant 4 loss will be a blemish on their resume. On the other hand, Cal Poly's upset victory is a major boost to their tournament chances, albeit still a long shot. The Mustangs' Quadrant 4 win will help to offset some of their earlier losses, but they still have a long way to go to become a serious contender.
This result will have real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. Cal Poly's win will be viewed as a major upset, and while it won't single-handedly put them in the tournament conversation, it will certainly give them a much-needed confidence boost. For UC Davis, this loss will be a tough pill to swallow, and they must regroup quickly to avoid a prolonged slump. As the season enters its critical phase, both teams want to build on this result and make a push for postseason glory. The Mustangs' upset victory over the Aggies will be remembered as one of the biggest surprises of the season, and it will be interesting to see how both teams respond in the coming weeks.