Cal Poly Women Top Whittier 61-33
The Mustangs used a full-court press to force 17 steals in a non-conference win over Whittier College.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Basketball
Cal Poly Women's Basketball defeated Whittier College, a Division III program, 61-33 on Thursday to improve to 2-0. The Mustangs recorded 17 steals as their full-court pressing and trapping defense turned into transition points.
Why it matters
The win came as the offense was struggling, and Head Coach Shanele Stires said the team created offense through defense. Forward Avery Knapp's return after three missed games added depth to a nine-player rotation.
Cal Poly's 17 steals were led by Maddy Tauro and Mecca Alexander with four each, while Tauro added 12 points and five assists. Avery Knapp scored 10 points with nine rebounds in 18 minutes in her first game back after missing three contests.
The players
Shanele Stires
Head Coach Shanele Stires leads the Cal Poly Women's Basketball program and commented on the team's use of defense to create offense.
Maddy Tauro
Maddy Tauro is a Cal Poly guard who recorded 12 points, five assists and four steals in the win over Whittier College.
The details
Cal Poly used full-court pressing and trapping defense to generate turnovers and convert them into transition scoring. Gabby Robinson played eight fewer minutes than in the previous game against UC Merced due to foul trouble.
Timeline
Thursday: Cal Poly defeats Whittier College 61-33
Next game: Cal Poly plays Idaho State in a non-conference matchup
Later that week: Stires hopes to have players back for the UCLA game
Season Trajectory
The 2-0 start with a pressing-based identity positions Cal Poly early in a non-conference schedule that includes Idaho State and UCLA. The depth question tied to Knapp's return and rotation health will shape how the Mustangs handle the competitive stretch ahead.
Knapp's return adds a rebounding presence to a nine-player rotation, which matters for fans tracking the Mustangs' depth. Those tracking foul trouble should note Robinson's reduced minutes against Whittier after her load against UC Merced.
The takeaway
Cal Poly's early season shows that forcing turnovers can unlock an offense that has been stalling, a lesson that matters as the Mustangs face tougher tests ahead.
What happens next
Cal Poly plays Idaho State next in a non-conference game, and Stires hopes to have players back around the UCLA game later that week.
Further reading
Follow more Basketball coverage for the latest Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo updates.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mustang News.
