Cal Poly Edges UC San Diego in Close Contest
Thursday, January 1, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · Mott Athletics Center
Cal Poly Mustangs 67, UC San Diego Tritons 65, 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 UC San Diego Tritons vs Cal Poly Mustangs?
Cal Poly Mustangs beat UC San Diego Tritons 67-65 at Mott Athletics Center on January 1, 2026.
Who was favored in UC San Diego Tritons vs Cal Poly Mustangs?
UC San Diego Tritons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -410 (about 80% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup, the Cal Poly Mustangs narrowly defeated the UC San Diego Tritons with a final score of 67-65. This victory marks a significant turnaround for Cal Poly, who had struggled recently, coming into the game with a home record of 6-9 and a disheartening four-game losing streak. The Mustangs had averaged 84.1 points per game while allowing 88.6 in their last ten games, indicating a defensive vulnerability that they managed to overcome in this contest.
On the other hand, UC San Diego entered the game with a strong away record of 11-3 and was riding an eight-game winning streak prior to this match. The Tritons had averaged 81.5 points per game while allowing only 71.1, showcasing their efficiency on both ends of the court. However, despite their impressive form, they were unable to secure a win against Cal Poly, which had been a challenging opponent for them in previous encounters.
Historically, UC San Diego had dominated the recent series against Cal Poly, winning both of their prior meetings in the 2025 season, including a decisive 95-68 victory earlier in the year. This context added an extra layer of intrigue to the game, as Cal Poly sought to break the trend and claim a much-needed win on their home court at Mott Athletics Center.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads. Key moments in the second half included Hudson Mayes, who made a driving layup to put UC San Diego ahead 64-60, followed by a free throw that extended their lead to 65-60. However, Cal Poly responded with a series of free throws from Jake Davis and Peter Bandelj, closing the gap and eventually taking the lead with a layup from Bandelj, making it 66-65. A crucial free throw from Cayden Ward sealed the game for the Mustangs, bringing the score to 67-65.
The conditions at Mott Athletics Center were conducive to a competitive game, and the atmosphere was charged as fans witnessed a hard-fought battle. The odds provided by DraftKings reflected the expectations going into the game, with UC San Diego favored by 8.5 points and a total set at 174.5. The market had anticipated a high-scoring affair, but both teams' defensive efforts led to a lower-than-expected total.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any players missing from either roster, suggesting both teams were at full strength for this critical matchup. This availability allowed both coaches to utilize their full rotations, contributing to the intensity of the game.
As the game concluded, Cal Poly's victory not only improved their home record but also provided a much-needed boost to their confidence after a tough stretch. The Mustangs' ability to execute down the stretch and capitalize on free throw opportunities proved decisive in their success against a formidable opponent. The Tritons, despite the loss, showcased their competitive spirit and will likely regroup as they continue their season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | UCSD -8.5 | 174.5 o -108 / u -112 | UC San Diego Tritons -410 · Cal Poly Mustangs +320 |
Leaders
- PointsHamad Mousa26Cal Poly Mustangs
- AssistsJake Davis3Cal Poly Mustangs
- ReboundsCayden Ward11Cal Poly Mustangs
- PointsAlex Chaikin17UC San Diego Tritons
- AssistsEmanuel Prospere II4UC San Diego Tritons
- ReboundsBol Dengdit12UC San Diego Tritons
Recent form
Cal Poly Mustangs
Last 10: 3-7Streak L484.1 scored · 88.6 allowed per game1-4 at home
- L80-83vs Idaho VandalsDec 22
- L87-108at UCLA BruinsDec 20
- L80-83vs Montana State BobcatsDec 17
- 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
UC San Diego Tritons
Last 10: 8-2Streak W181.5 scored · 71.1 allowed per game3-1 away
- W85-62vs Stanton ElksDec 29
- L80-82vs San Diego TorerosDec 20
- W67-57at Loyola Marymount LionsDec 17
- W93-67vs Tulane Green WaveDec 14
- W80-74at Long Beach State BeachDec 7
- L70-76at Nevada Wolf PackDec 3
- W87-73vs Towson TigersNov 26
- W87-77at Bradley BravesNov 25
- W91-76vs Temple OwlsNov 24
- W75-67vs Idaho VandalsNov 15
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | UC San Diego Tritons | Cal Poly Mustangs |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-65 | 23-66 |
| Field goal % | 35 | 35 |
| Three-pointers | 8-32 | 11-42 |
| Three-point % | 25 | 26 |
| Free throws | 11-13 | 10-14 |
| Free throw % | 85 | 71 |
| Rebounds | 44 | 44 |
| Offensive rebounds | 15 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 29 | 28 |
| Assists | 12 | 10 |
| Steals | 8 | 6 |
| Blocks | 1 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 11 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 20 |
| Fouls | 16 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 77 | 17 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half29-26Guzman Vasilic makes 29-foot three point jumper (Ali Assran assists)
- 1st Half31-26Hudson Mayes makes layup (Emanuel Prospere II assists)
- 1st Half31-28Jake Davis makes 18-foot jumper
- 1st Half33-28Hudson Mayes makes layup (Tom Beattie assists)
- 1st Half35-28Tom Beattie makes 3-foot dunk
- 1st Half35-31Hamad Mousa makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 1st Half37-31Hudson Mayes makes layup
- 1st Half40-31Alex Chaikin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tom Beattie assists)
- 1st Half40-34Hamad Mousa makes 24-foot three point jumper (Luka Tarlac assists)
- 1st Half40-37Hamad Mousa makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jake Davis assists)
- 1st Half42-37Tom Beattie makes driving layup
- 1st Half42-39Cayden Ward makes layup
- 2nd Half44-39Aidan Burke makes layup
- 2nd Half44-41Hamad Mousa makes layup
- 2nd Half44-43Ali Assran makes layup (Peter Bandelj assists)
- 2nd Half47-43Alex Chaikin makes 24-foot three point jumper (Emanuel Prospere II assists)
- 2nd Half47-45Peter Bandelj makes layup
- 2nd Half48-45Alex Chaikin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-45Alex Chaikin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-48Cayden Ward makes 25-foot three point jumper (Hamad Mousa assists)
- 2nd Half50-48Leo Beath makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half51-48Leo Beath makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-48Bol Dengdit makes layup (Trap Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half53-49Cayden Ward makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-50Cayden Ward makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-50Alex Chaikin makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bol Dengdit assists)
- 2nd Half56-53Peter Bandelj makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half56-55Hamad Mousa makes layup (Ali Assran assists)
- 2nd Half59-55Alex Chaikin makes 26-foot three point jumper (Hudson Mayes assists)
- 2nd Half59-57Hamad Mousa makes layup (Jake Davis assists)
- 2nd Half62-57Leo Beath makes 25-foot three point jumper (Emanuel Prospere II assists)
- 2nd Half62-60Hamad Mousa makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half64-60Hudson Mayes makes driving layup
- 2nd Half65-60Hudson Mayes makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half65-61Jake Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-62Jake Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-63Peter Bandelj makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-64Peter Bandelj makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-66Peter Bandelj makes layup
- 2nd Half65-67Cayden Ward makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Cal Poly Mustangs, below favours UC San Diego Tritons.
Venue
- Mott Athletics CenterSan Luis Obispo, CA
- Attendance1521
- OfficialsChance Moore, Chase Shaw, Eric Dust
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