Cal Poly point guard Abbey Ellis scored a season-high 29 points on Wednesday, leading the Mustang women’s basketball team to a 62-43 home win over Sacramento State. Mott Athletics Center saw a crowd of 1,252 for the program’s third annual Field Trip Day, in which local elementary schools are invited to campus.
Ellis, a true freshman from Yallambie, Australia, shot 12-for-20 overall, including 4-for-7 from 3-point range, in almost reaching the first 30-point performance by a Mustang since Nov. 11, 2018.
After coming into the day a flawless 13-for-13 from the free-throw line (tied for No. 4 around the country), she added a 1-for-2 afternoon at the stripe on Wednesday during a 39-minute effort. Ellis also had four assists and three steals.
Sacramento State started hot, taking its largest lead at 21-11 almost nine minutes from the opening tip, on the way to a 21-14 lead after the end of the first quarter. The Mustangs steadily chipped away at the gap, however, as a drive by Malia Holt cut the deficit to two, before Ellis sank a 3 to put Cal Poly in front, 28-27 with 4:30 to play until halftime.
The Hornets tied it at 29-all on a pair of free throws by Kennedy Nicholas, but Ellis came back again to add a go-ahead jumper for a 31-29 lead heading to the half.
Early on in the third quarter, Sacramento State (1-3) pulled within a point (33-32) thanks to a Kennedy Burks jumper, but the Mustangs (1-3) then went on a 15-0 run to take control.
The pivotal string of 15 straight Cal Poly points included two 3-pointers and another basket for Ellis, along with two jumpers for junior forward Sierra Campisano, a turnaround post move by graduate forward Alicia Roufosse, and a free throw by Holt, to establish a 48-32 lead with 2:55 left in the third.
Ellis continued her memorable day toward the end of the quarter, converting a layup for a 53-39 lead heading to the fourth. From there, the Mustang defense allowed just four points the rest of the way, ultimately taking the largest lead of the game via 62-42 with 1:12 remaining.
Campisano (San Diego/Torrey Pines HS) earned her second double-double in the past three games, finishing with 13 points along with 11 rebounds. She went 5-for-12 on the afternoon, plus 3-for-3 at the foul line.
Holt added a season-high 12-point effort, while Cal Poly shot a season-best 49 percent (24-of-49 overall).
True freshman guard Lily Svetich, a San Luis Obispo High product, made her first career start, grabbing six rebounds and claiming two steals in her 24 minutes.
Up next, Cal Poly travels to Tempe to visit Arizona State on Sunday. Tipoff from Desert Financial Arena on Nov. 24 against the No. 18-ranked Sun Devils (2-1) is set for 4 p.m. PT, with a broadcast available through Pac-12 Live Stream.
-Provided by Cal Poly
