Mustangs lose heartbreaker in Big West semifinals

Posted: Mar 12, 2010 9:16 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Mar 12, 2010 9:16 PM

CP women lose heartbreaker in semifinals

The Mustangs missed a three-point shot to tie it at the buzzer and lost a heartbreaker to UC Riverside 54-51 in the Big West Conference Tournament semifinals.

The Cal Poly women trailed 52-44 with 2:02 to play in the game. A three pointer and layup by Rachel Clancy as well as a layup from Kristina Santiago brought Cal Poly to within three 54-41 with 33 seconds to play. The Mustangs needed a defensive stop and they got it as Desiray Johnston poked the ball loose from the Highlander and Clancy picked it up. With less than ten seconds to play, the Mustangs hurried up the court and Lange had a good look from beyond the men's three-point line. However, the shot bounced off the back of the rim ending Cal Poly's season.

"I told them that I love them, which is absolutely true and probably the most important thing about why we play this game. And that I was proud of them," said an emotional head coach Faith Mimnaugh after the loss.

The Mustangs had not played since last Saturday after they received the program's first ever number two seed and two byes.

Cal Poly jumped out to an early 19-7 led on a three-pointer by Santa Ynez High graduate Christine Martin. But the Highlanders charged back and the game was tied 28-28 going in to halftime.

Clancy led the Mustangs with 14 points and 12 rebounds in what was likely her final game for Cal Poly. Santiago, a Righetti High graduate and the Big West player of the year, finished with 13 points.

"I'd say just those few possessions that we would slip on and when they would put the pressure on just taking care of the ball," said Santiago about what the difference was in the game.

The loss dropped the Cal Poly women's record to 18-11.
UC Riverside advanced to Saturday's Tournament championship against UC Davis at 1pm. The game will air on Fox Sports Prime Ticket.