The quarterfinal round of the 2012 Big West Tournament quarterfinals featured both the expected and the unexpected, with two area teams being sent home, while one holds on to the dream of an NCAA berth for at least another day.
Cal Poly used a second half surge to beat UC Riverside, 66-54. After shooting 34.6 percent in the first half, the Mustangs shot 50 percent in the second half which went a long way to the victory. Mustang guard Amaurys Fermin scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to propel the comeback.
No. 3 seed UC Santa Barbara downed No. 6 seeded Pacific 72-52. After shooting 53-percent from the field in the first half, the Gauchos never looked back. Senior guard Orlando Johnson had a game-high 15 points.
No. 1 seed Long Beach State took care of business against No. 8 seed UC Davis, 80-46. Eugene Phelps led the 49ers with 18 points, as this was the third time they had beaten the Aggies by at least 20 points this season.
In the most surprising result of the day, UC Irvine stunned Cal State Fullerton, 65-59. The Anteaters were led by guard Chris McNeely who exploded for 24 points. After holding an eight point halftime lead, UCI held off numerous second half runs by CSF runs to advance to the semifinals.
For more updates from the Big West Tournament, stay tuned to this StoryStream.