SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Cletrell Pope scored a season-high 24 and Soufiyane Diakite pulled down 15 rebounds, but a buzzer-beating three in overtime gave Cal Poly an 80-78 overtime decision against BCU Saturday night at the Mott Athletics Center. Pope secured his fifth double-double with 14 rebounds, and Diakite his second thanks to 13 points for the Wildcats, who dropped to 4-7, while the Mustangs moved to 3-6. The thrilling game featured 13 ties and 21 lead change, and neither squad led by more than seven points.
 
Mark Crowe beat the clock on only Cal Poly's second three after halftime after Diakite made another clutch play. The senior forward drove down the right side of the lane and made a contested lay-in with just four seconds remaining. It was part of his strong second half that consisted of seven points and 11 boards.
 
The 'Cats had a look to win the game in regulation. With the score knotted at 68, Malik Maitland's three was just off with only a second remaining.
 
BCU won the battle on the boards, 51-34, thanks to 20 offensive rebounds. The Wildcats also showed improvement at the stripe with a 12-17 effort in free throw shooting.
 
Dondre Duffus scored a season-best 11 points, and Maitland's 14 placed him in double-figures in seven-straight.
 
Both teams kept pace at one another in the first half as BCU was 15-32 from the floor while CP was 15-28. Fields led the Mustangs with 16 points and Pope poured in 14 for BCU.
 
Dondre Duffus' consecutive connections started BCU's first run in a 6-0 stretch with his lay-in at 17:57.
 
Later, Fields and Maitland traded trifectas for the game's third tie at 14:22.
 
CP held three seven-point leads in the half until the Wildcats caught fire with an 11-0 run. It began with Maitland's second three at 7:07 through Pope's lay-in with 5 minutes remaining.
 
BCU returns home to Historic Moore Gym for a men's and women's doubleheader on Saturday, Dec. 15. The Wildcats host Jacksonville University with a 6 p.m. tip.
 
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