SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The second rendition of the Blue-Green Rivalry went exactly as many others, the Gauchos and Mustangs traded leads four times and tied each other eight other times over the course of the 40 minutes of play. At the end it was Cal Poly that came out victorious. A vicious fourth quarter comeback fell just short for the Gauchos.

FROM HEAD COACH BONNIE HENRICKSON
"We knew what they wanted to do and we just kind of broke down defensively," said Henrickson. "Richards hit some threes for them and thats not her game but give her credit she knocked them down. We came back and showed some fight. We played fast and small, but got downhill and hit some threes in that stretch."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening quarter was filled with lead changes from both sides. Neither side was able to pull ahead by more than two points until late in the quarter. However, with under 20 seconds to go Alyssa Marin made two of three free throws to put the Gauchos up five, but Cal Poly stormed down the court and made a jumper as time expired in the opening quarter and the Gauchos lead was cut to three as the teams headed to the second quarter.

Marin opened the second quarter with a three to push the lead to six, but the Mustangs again would respond quickly tying the game up with just over five minutes to go in the half. The teams traded baskets until the Mustangs went on a 5-0 run to take a 28-23 lead. The Gauchos got the stops they needed after the five point lead and was able to cut the lead to three after Alexis Whitfield made a layup with five second left to cut the lead to three as the teams headed into the break.

Out of halftime, the Mustangs went on another 5-0 run and took an eight point lead just over a minute into the third quarter. The Mustangs maintained their lead as they went shot-for-shot with UC Santa Barbara and the Gauchos could not inch closer. Santa Barbara was able to cut it to four with just under five minutes to play, but the Mustangs found their rhythm on both ends of the floor and went on 14-3 run to end the quarter and take a 53-38 lead to the final quarter.

Cal Poly grew their lead to as much as 18 but the Gauchos did not stop fighting. Santa Barbara went on a run of their own to bring the game within three. Four three pointers from three different Gauchos spurred the run, including two from Zoe Borter. Unfortunately the Gauchos could not complete the comeback and that would be as close as they would get. Down the stretch Cal Poly was able to make clutch shots and hit their free throws to not allow the Gauchos to tie or take the lead. 

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS

• Anya Choice scored her 700th career point as a Gaucho. She entered the game needing seven to reach the mark and scored eight in the contest.
• Freshman Zoe Borter rattled home her 100th point of her career and freshman season in the contest with her nine-point performance.
• Alexis Whitfield fell one rebound shy of her eighth double-double of the season.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos return home this Saturday, March 2 as they host Cal State Fullerton at 4 p.m. Following the game the Gauchos will honor their seniors for senior day. For those unable to attend the game the contest will bet streamed through ESPN+ with live stats available.