Montana State Edges Cal Poly in Close Contest
Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 10:00 PM ET · Mott Athletics Center
Montana State Bobcats 83, Cal Poly Mustangs 80, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Montana State Bobcats vs Cal Poly Mustangs?
Montana State Bobcats beat Cal Poly Mustangs 83-80 at Mott Athletics Center on December 16, 2025.
Who was favored in Montana State Bobcats vs Cal Poly Mustangs?
Montana State Bobcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -162 (about 62% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Montana State Bobcats defeated the Cal Poly Mustangs with a final score of 83-80 at the Mott Athletics Center. This game was notable as both teams entered with identical records of 5-7, making the outcome significant for their respective seasons.
The Mustangs have had a mixed bag of results in their last ten games, finishing with a record of 5-5. However, they are currently on a one-game losing streak, having lost to the UC Riverside Highlanders 84-88 in their most recent outing. Over these ten games, Cal Poly has averaged 84.7 points scored while allowing 85.5 points per game, showcasing their offensive capabilities but also highlighting defensive vulnerabilities. At home, they have a record of 2-2 in their last four games, while their overall performance includes a recent average of 84.0 points scored and 87.4 points allowed over their last five games.
On the other side, Montana State has struggled recently, with a record of 4-6 in their last ten games and currently on a two-game losing streak. Their latest loss came against the Oregon State Beavers, where they fell 57-67. The Bobcats have averaged 77.1 points scored and 68.2 points allowed during this stretch, indicating a stronger defensive performance compared to Cal Poly. Their away record is particularly concerning, standing at 1-5, while they have fared better at home with a 3-1 record.
In their previous meetings, the teams have faced each other multiple times, but specific historical results were not provided in the block. This matchup was particularly intriguing given both teams' struggles and the need for a win to improve their standings.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either team, which meant both squads were likely at full strength for this encounter. This absence of injuries added an element of competitiveness to the game, as both teams could field their best lineups.
The betting market reflected a close contest, with DraftKings setting the odds with Montana State favored by 2.5 points. The total for the game was set at 159.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair. The odds for the over were -112.0, while the under was slightly favored at -108.0. Montana State's money line was -162.0, suggesting they were the favorites to win, while Cal Poly was priced at +136.0.
Conditions during the game were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere at the Mott Athletics Center likely contributed to the intensity of the contest, as home crowds often provide a significant boost to their teams.
Viewers should have watched for the offensive strategies employed by both teams, particularly how Cal Poly's high-scoring average played out against Montana State's more balanced approach. The Bobcats' ability to execute in crucial moments was evident, highlighted by their scoring plays in the second half, which included key dunks from Patrick McMahon and crucial free throws from Hamad Mousa.
In summary, Montana State's victory over Cal Poly was a critical win for the Bobcats, allowing them to improve their standing while the Mustangs continue to search for consistency in their performances.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | MTST -2.5 | 159.5 o -112 / u -108 | Montana State Bobcats -162 · Cal Poly Mustangs +136 |
Leaders
- PointsCayden Ward25Cal Poly Mustangs
- AssistsPeter Bandelj4Cal Poly Mustangs
- ReboundsCayden Ward8Cal Poly Mustangs
- PointsPatrick McMahon26Montana State Bobcats
- AssistsPatrick McMahon5Montana State Bobcats
- ReboundsChristian King8Montana State Bobcats
Recent form
Cal Poly Mustangs
Last 10: 5-5Streak L184.7 scored · 85.5 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L84-88vs UC Riverside HighlandersDec 7
- W94-91at Cal State Fullerton TitansDec 5
- W87-81vs Redlands BulldogsNov 30
- L68-84vs Southeast Missouri State RedhawksNov 26
- L87-93at Northern Arizona LumberjacksNov 25
- W92-85at Utah UtesNov 21
- L82-90at Montana GrizzliesNov 15
- L79-93at Colorado State RamsNov 13
- W73-71at Seattle U RedhawksNov 9
- W101-79vs Pacific Lutheran LutesNov 6
Montana State Bobcats
Last 10: 4-6Streak L277.1 scored · 68.2 allowed per game1-5 away
- L57-67at Oregon State BeaversDec 13
- L68-72at Oral Roberts Golden EaglesDec 7
- W82-74vs St. Thomas TommiesDec 4
- L81-84at Utah State AggiesNov 29
- W78-72at Long Beach State BeachNov 22
- W92-55vs Nobel KnightsNov 20
- L58-62at Boise State BroncosNov 15
- L68-77at Stanford CardinalNov 13
- L73-75vs Denver PioneersNov 9
- W114-44vs Northwest Indian RedHawksNov 6
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State | 20-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Montana State | 18-14 | 1 | 12-6 |
| Eastern Washington | 14-19 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Northern Colorado | 20-12 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Montana | 18-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Weber State | 16-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Idaho | 21-15 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Sacramento State | 10-21 | 8 | 6-12 |
| Idaho State | 13-20 | 8 | 5-13 |
| Northern Arizona | 10-22 | 9 | 4-14 |
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | Montana State Bobcats | Cal Poly Mustangs |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-66 | 25-63 |
| Field goal % | 42 | 40 |
| Three-pointers | 10-36 | 8-28 |
| Three-point % | 28 | 29 |
| Free throws | 17-25 | 22-31 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 39 | 47 |
| Offensive rebounds | 14 | 17 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 30 |
| Assists | 16 | 8 |
| Steals | 5 | 2 |
| Blocks | 2 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 14 | 8 |
| Fast-break points | 20 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 34 |
| Fouls | 24 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 14 | 7 |
| Lead changes | 5 | 5 |
| Time in front | 67 | 18 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half51-46Patrick McMahon makes layup
- 2nd Half51-48Luka Tarlac makes 8-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half54-48Jed Miller makes 27-foot three point jumper (Chris Hodges assists)
- 2nd Half56-48Patrick McMahon makes layup
- 2nd Half56-50Luka Tarlac makes layup
- 2nd Half58-50Patrick McMahon makes layup (Jed Miller assists)
- 2nd Half58-51Kieran Elliott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-52Troy Plumtree makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-52Christian King makes 24-foot three point jumper (Patrick McMahon assists)
- 2nd Half61-55Troy Plumtree makes 23-foot three point jumper (Luka Tarlac assists)
- 2nd Half61-56Peter Bandelj makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-57Peter Bandelj makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-59Cayden Ward makes layup
- 2nd Half63-59Christian King makes layup
- 2nd Half64-59Seth Amunrud makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-59Seth Amunrud makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-59Christian King makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jed Miller assists)
- 2nd Half70-59Seth Amunrud makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half73-59Jeremiah Davis makes 24-foot three point jumper (Christian King assists)
- 2nd Half73-62Cayden Ward makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half73-61Cayden Ward makes 4-foot jumper
- 2nd Half75-62Patrick McMahon makes 17-foot jumper
- 2nd Half75-63Cayden Ward makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-63Christian King makes layup (Seth Amunrud assists)
- 2nd Half77-66Hamad Mousa makes 26-foot three point jumper (Cayden Ward assists)
- 2nd Half77-67Hamad Mousa makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-68Hamad Mousa makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-69Cayden Ward makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-70Cayden Ward makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-71Peter Bandelj makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-72Peter Bandelj makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-72Jed Miller makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half78-74Cayden Ward makes driving layup
- 2nd Half79-74Patrick McMahon makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-75Hamad Mousa makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half79-76Hamad Mousa makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half79-78Peter Bandelj makes layup
- 2nd Half81-78Patrick McMahon makes 4-foot dunk
- 2nd Half81-80Hamad Mousa makes layup
- 2nd Half83-80Patrick McMahon makes 5-foot dunk
Win probability
Above the line favours Cal Poly Mustangs, below favours Montana State Bobcats.
Venue
- Mott Athletics CenterSan Luis Obispo, CA
- Attendance1234
- OfficialsShawn Lehigh, D.G. Nelson, Eric Curry
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