Box Score (PDF)
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton sophomore center Daeja Smith scored a career and game-high 21 points, but it wasn't enough as the Titans suffered a 73-57 loss at Cal Poly on Wednesday night at Mott Athletics Center.
The Titans (4-24, 1-14) are on an 11-game losing streak and remain in ninth place in the Big West Conference standings. A UC Irvine win at UC Santa Barbara on Thursday night would eliminate Fullerton from making the Big West Tournament, however a UCI loss would mean the winner of Saturday's regular season finale between the Titans and Anteaters would determine the final and eighth spot for next week's Big West Tournament.
With the win, Cal Poly improved to 11-16 overall and 7-8 in Big West play, while sweeping the season series with the Titans.
Smith scored a career and game-high 21 points for the Titans on an 8-of-12 shooting night, while also leading the Titans with seven rebounds and three blocks. Fellow sophomore, point guard Jade Vega, poured in 13 points, knocking down three 3-pointers. Junior Jordan Jackson was the third Titan to reach double figures scoring 11 points.
A quartet of Mustangs reached double figures led by Dynn Leaupepe's 16-point, five-rebound and five-assist performance. Amanda Lovely added 13 points, while Lynn Leaupepe chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds. Celebrating her final home game at Cal Poly, senior Hannah Gilbert scored 10 on 5-of-8 shooting.
Fullerton shot 43.5 percent (20-of-46) from the floor, its second-highest percentage in a Big West game this season, but Cal Poly outscored the Titans 36-26 in the paint and also capitalized on 16 CSF turnovers to score 26 points.
The Mustangs led 24-14 with 7:29 to play in the second quarter, but a 10-2 run capped by a Vega three-pointer pulled Fullerton within two, 26-24. The Titans could get no closer as Cal Poly led from start to finish in the game.
Trailing by nine, 57-48, after three quarters, the Mustangs outscored Fullerton 16-9 in the fourth to keep things out of reach.
Cal Poly shot 55.8 percent (29-of-52) from the floor and had 13 players appear in the game compared to Fullerton's seven.
Notes: Fullerton had only seven student-athletes available for Wednesday's game as Iman Lathan quit the team…the all-time series between Cal Poly and Cal State Fullerton is now tied at 28-28…Daeja Smith scored a career-high 21 points.
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