Box Score (PDF)
FULLERTON, Calif. – Freshmen Michelle Berry and Dani Craig scored 20 and 19 points each, respectively, dropping a heartbreaking contest to Cal Poly at Titan Gym on Thursday night, 57-63.
Craig's 19-point performance is the second highest of her career and the most since she recorded 22 on November 17th against Loyola Marymount. The freshman went 5-6 from behind the arch and was flawless at the free throw line, going 4-4.
Berry recorded 20 points and 14 rebounds to log her 11th double-double of the season, her seventh against conference opponents and 14th double-digit rebounding performance.
The Titans (2-24, 0-12 BWC) shot 19-52 from the floor while sinking seven from behind the arc and 12 from the free throw line.
Cal Poly was led by three Mustangs who scored in double-digit points, including senior Beth Balbierz who scored 22 points including 6-10 from the three-point line.
Craig recorded two three-pointers early in the game to lead the Titans in their first quarter battle with Cal Poly, tying it up at nine a piece at the first media timeout.
Jade Vega added a three of her own to spark the Titans' offense, giving them the 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Berry started the second quarter with a quick four points to keep the Titan offense going, yet Cal Poly managed to keep up and regain the lead off of a three-pointer from Balbierz.
Junior Sami Logan, known for her timely three's, put one up from behind the arc to take back the Titan lead.
Yet the Mustangs' Balbierz was unstoppable in the second quarter, sinking five three's to lead Cal Poly.
Craig quickly followed suit, sinking back-to-back three's to total her fourth from behind the arc on the night.
The Titans tied it up at 32 with a minute left in the first half, yet two free throws from Cal Poly gave them the 34-32 lead at the end of the first half.
Craig led the Titans' offensively in the first half, totaling 16 points with four three-pointers and four from the free throw line.
Cal Poly quickly got to work in the second half, going on a four-point run before Craig sunk her fifth three of the night.
Berry hit her 18th double-digit scoring game in the third quarter, leading the Titans to a 44-40 lead at the first media timeout of the second half.
The Titans' continued to lead offensively throughout the third quarter, outscoring the Mustangs' 15-9 and taking the 47-43 lead heading into the final quarter.
Cal Poly wasn't going to go down easy, striking first in the fourth quarter yet the Titans battled to hang onto their lead.
The Titans had a six-point advantage with just under four minutes left on the clock until Cal Poly went on a five-point run to cut the deficit to only one.
Yet the Mustangs' managed hold off the Titans and go on an 11-0 run to take a five-point lead with just under 30 seconds left on the clock.
Berry put away two free throws in the late seconds of the game to record her fifth 20-point game, yet it wasn't enough as the Titans' dropped the heartbreaking contest, 57-63.
The Titans will hit the road and head across town to take on UC Irvine on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.