SLO Reporter

Playing without several key players, the Cal Poly women's basketball team nearly pulled off a New Year's Eve win over defending Big West champion Hawai'i Saturday at home, but ultimately fell to the Rainbow Wahine, 50-47.

The Mustangs (3-7, 0-2 BW), who led for 34 minutes of the game, were led in scoring by junior guard Junie Dickson who finished with a season-high 11 points. Sophomore guard Annika Shah added eight points while both sophomore guard Sydney Bourland and senior guard Maddie Willett each chipped in seven points and five rebounds.

Cal Poly held the Rainbow Wahine (4-7, 2-0 BW) to just 29 percent shooting from the field and held Hawai'i's two leading scores coming into the game to a combined 10 points. However, the Rainbow Wahine shot 32 free throws, making 23 of them, while the Mustangs shot six free throws, making five.

Cal Poly got out to an 8-0 lead to start the game as Hawai'i didn't score its first points for over three minutes. The Rainbow Wahine eventually made their way back, cutting Cal Poly's lead to 10-9 after the first quarter. The Mustangs held Hawai'i to just five points in the second quarter and scored the first eight points of the quarter, taking a 23-14 lead into halftime.

Hawai'i began the second half with a 12-3 run over the first four minutes of the third to tie the game 26-26. Taking a three point lead into the fourth quarter, Cal Poly led 41-37 with 7:18 left before the Rainbow Wahine scored five straight points to take their first lead of the game with 4:30 left in the game.

Cal Poly took the lead back at 43-42 with 3:44 left. However, that would be its last lead of the game as Hawai'i scored on its next possession to regain the lead. With 25 seconds left, Mustang sophomore guard Jazzy Anousinh made a pair of free throws to cut the Hawai'i lead down to 48-47. The Rainbow Wahine made just one free throw after Cal Poly fouled but the Mustangs were unable to make a shot on either of its final two possessions.

Cal Poly stays at home to take on CSU Bakersfield Thursday, Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. inside Mott Athletics Center. 

Original source can be found here.