CSUN Defeats Cal Poly On Last-Minute 3 by Jerron Wilbut, 76-74

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Los Angeles, CA – The CSUN Matadors (7-12, 2-3 BWC) bested the Cal Poly Mustangs (7-10, 1-3 BWC) on Thursday night on The Blacktop @ The Matadome with the final score of 76-74. The Matadors used a last-minute comeback, capped by a 3-pointer from sophomore Jerron Wilbut, to storm back and defeat the Mustangs after having lost the last two games by only a basket.

Wilbut hit three of five 3s on the night for a total of 15 points, tying a career high. He and junior Aaron Parks went 4-for-4 at the free throw line and Parks also had 10 points and a season-high five rebounds. Sophomore Zacarry Douglas added 11 points, seven of them in the second half, and senior Tre Hale-Edmerson scored 10 with six rebounds and three blocks.

"I thought tonight was just a great team win for us," said Head Coach Reggie Theus. "We've been talking about the ability to play through adversity, and at that moment [down in the second half], we had some growth as individuals on our team.

"In the end, we won the game on the defensive end of the floor and that's what's important," Theus continued. "We made two or three stops, we got two big rebounds and then Tre made a great block at the end. We won the game with them having two shots to tie it up, and that's the growth of our team."

After several changes of possession to start the game, Parks got the first points on the board for the Matadors. The Mustangs hit back-to-back 3s to keep the game moving and the score was 6-8 at the first media timeout. The game stayed within a few baskets until a few Matador highlights – including a dunk by junior Kendall Smith at about the six-minute mark – pulled the game close for the final minutes of the half.

A 3-pointer by Hale-Edmerson tied the game at 30 with just under four minutes left in the first half and a Jason Richardson layup put the Matadors on top, 36-35, about a minute later. The Matadors stayed there until free throws for the Mustangs took Cal Poly to the locker room leading by one.

The second half started off much like the end of the first – a close game with Cal Poly barely a step ahead. The Mustangs stayed there until around the four-minute mark, with CSUN fighting back consistently, when a steal and layup by Smith pulled the Matadors within two.

A critical 3 by Wilbut with just under two minutes to go brought the Matadors within a point and – again – they fought to stay there. With 18 seconds remaining on the clock, Wilbut hit another clutch 3 to put the Matadors ahead by two, 76-74, and the Mustangs were forced to call a timeout. They called another with 4.4 seconds to play and weren't able to capitalize on their final possession, letting the Matadors enjoy the well-deserved victory.

"I've been gone from the game for a couple of years now but I'm starting to get it back," said Wilbut about his shot and the season so far. "I'm just trying to do whatever I can to help this ball club and help my team win."

Cal Poly led for all but five minutes of the game, and was up by as much as 11 in the second half. The Matadors shot 48 percent to the Mustangs' 54 percent, and were also bested at the free throw line. CSUN hit five of 13 3s for the game to Cal Poly's six of 17.

After tonight's win, Hale-Edmerson moves up to tie for eighth place on the all-time CSUN games played list.

For the Mustangs, seniors Brian Bennett and David Nwaba each scored 14 points. Bennett also led the team with seven rebounds, while Nwaba helped with four assists.

The Matadors next travel to Santa Barbara to play the Gauchos this Saturday, Jan. 23 at 4:00 p.m. They then return to The Matadome to take on UC Irvine on Wednesday, Jan. 27 at 7:00 p.m.

(1/22/2016) Men's Basketball vs. Cal Poly 012116

CSUN Defeats Cal Poly On Last-Minute 3 by Jerron Wilbut, 76-74

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Team Stats

Jerron Wilbut

Zacarry Douglas

Tre Hale-Edmerson

Aaron Parks

Players Mentioned

Zacarry Douglas

Tre Hale-Edmerson

Aaron Parks

Jason Richardson

Kendall Smith

Jerron Wilbut