SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - Senior center Gabe Stephenson set a school record by making 16 free throws and scored 22 points to lead Cal Poly to a 71-67 victory over UC San Diego in a season-opening men's basketball game Friday night before 1,985 in Mott Gym.

Stephenson made 16 of 18 free throws, breaking the mark of 15 made free throws in a game set by Bob Horwath in the 1963-64 season against Cal State Los Angeles.

Sophomore guard Dawin Whiten added 16 points and junior forward Derek Stockalper scored 15 as Cal Poly improved to 1-0 on the year. UC San Diego fell to 0-1.

UC San Diego was led by Darryl Lawlor with 14 points. Clint Allard added 11 points and Andrew Hatch 10.

UC San Diego made 28 of 50 floor shots (56 percent) compared to just 19 of 48 for Cal Poly, but the Mustangs cashed in at the free-throw line, sinking 25 of 36 thanks to 28 Triton personal fouls. UC San Diego made just seven of 13 charity shots.

Cal Poly outrebounded UC San Diego 39-21, led by Stephenson and Stockalper with nine each. Though the game was marred by 44 personal fouls, there were just 19 turnovers -- 10 by Cal Poly.

Cal Poly led throughout the first half, leading by as many as 13 points before settling for a 36-26 advantage at the break.  A pair of free throws by Stephenson gave the Mustangs a 51-38 cushion with 12:17 to play before the Tritons made a run, tying the game at 57-57 with 5:04 to play as Henry Patterson scored a layup to cap a 19-6 run.

Two more free throws by Stephenson gave the Mustangs the lead, this time for good, at 59-57. Stephenson's two free throws with six seconds left clinched the victory

UCSD Returns to action on Tuesday, November 22, taking on Pomona-Pitzer on the road. UCSD continues its season-opening 9-game road trip at Grand Canyon on Friday, November 25 in Phoenix, Ariz.