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Nov. 20, 1997

Cal Routs Cal Poly in Season Opener

OAKLAND, Calif. - Amber Lacey recorded a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds and Kenya Corley poured in another 18 points as the Bears easily rolled past Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 94-58, to win their 18th straight home opener Thursday evening at the Kaiser Arena.

Beginning only her second season at the helm, Cal's head coach Marianne Stanley had the Bears ready to play as the 38-point win was the largest margin of victory since Cal defeated San Jose State, 95-57, during the 1994 season. It also was the most points Cal had scored since its 101-79 victory over Arizona State in '96.

"I was a little surprised how shamelessly we scored tonight," said Stanley. "Especially because it's so early in the season and we have so many new players. But I was very happy with our play on offense overall."

Cal's Paige Bowie scored the first basket of the contest just 10 seconds in and Amber Lacey added four points as the Bears jumped out to a 10-6 advantage in the game's first five minutes.

Cal Poly narrowed the lead to 12-11 before Cal went on what would be its first of two big first half runs. Five different Bears scored during the run as Cal built itself a 22-11 lead at the midpoint of the first half.

But Cal Poly wasn't ready to fold yet, holding Cal to only one point over the next 5:08, as the Mustangs cut the lead to 23-22 with 4:29 remaining in the half.

Cal answered with its second run of the first stanza as the Bears outscored the Mustangs, 14-6, to take a 37-28 lead and the game's momentum in to the locker room at intermission.

Cal didn't waste any time jumping on Cal Poly to open the second half, holding the Mustangs without a basket for the first 4:19. Lacey registered 10 of her game-high 19 points as the Bears exploded to a 53-28 lead, ringing up 14 unanswered points.

"We played stellar defense for a young team, especially to open the second half," Stanley said. "I was proud of our overall effort, we played hard and we played smart."

Just over four minutes later, Kenya Corley sunk her 11th point of the contest, Cal's lead hit 30 and the rout was on. Corley went on to score six more points in the final 10 minutes of the game as Cal's lead twice ballooned to 38 points.

The Bears will return to action when they travel to Pacific to take on the Tigers Monday, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. Cal doesn't return home until Dec. 5 when the Bears will host the Gaels of Saint Mary's at 7:30 p.m. at the Kaiser Arena in Oakland.