Cold-shooting Mustangs fall at Nevada 69-56

Posted: Dec 11, 2012 9:53 PM by Andrew Masuda
Updated: Dec 11, 2012 11:51 PM

Mustangs trail from start to finish in loss at Nevada

Behind just 33 percent shooting from the floor as a team, the Cal Poly men's basketball team fell 69-56 at the University of Nevada in Reno on Tuesday night in a non-conference game. The Mustangs failed to lead at any point for the second time in three games.

The Mustangs trailed by as many as 25 points, but made a late run down the stretch. The Mustangs, who were coming off a 46 point home win over Menlo College, fell to 3-4 overall, while the Wolf Pack improved to 6-4.

Dylan Royer led the Mustangs with 13 points, but the Morro Bay High graduate was just 5 of 15 from the floor, including a 3 for 10 clip from three-point range. Brian Bennett added 10 points on 5 for 12 shooting. The Mustangs hit just 28 percent of their 28 three-point shots. On the plus side, they committed just 9 turnovers compared with 14 assists. They forced Nevada to turn the ball over 19 times.

Cal Poly was out-rebounded 31-47. Chris Eversley and Jamaal Johnson led the Mustangs with 5 rebounds apiece. Johnson and Reese Morgan collected 3 steals each as Cal Poly finished with 13 steals. Johnson dished out a team-high 5 assists.

The Mustangs were looking for their first win in Reno since 1999. It was their first game with the Wolf Pack since 2000.

Nevada shot 45 percent for the game and hit 9 of its 19 three-point shots (47%). Malik Story led the Pack with 19 points on 7 for 12 shooting, including hitting 5 of his 7 three-point shots. Jordan Burris added 13 points, while Jerry Evans,Jr. Added 8 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.

Cal Poly fell behind 11-4 early on, but the Mustangs responded with a run of their own to tie it at 15-15 with ten minutes to go in the firs thalf. But Story hit four 3-pointers in a six minute span to give Nevada a 31-19 lead. The Wolf Pack led 40-25 at the half.

The Mustangs made just 2 of their first 14 shots in the second half and quickly fell behind 54-30 with 13 minutes to play in the game.

The Mustangs return to Mott Gym on Friday to host Eastern New Mexico at 7pm.