Men’s basketball narrowly beats Chico State before CCAA playoffs
By Madison Slocum, March 3, 2026
The Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball team defeated Chico State with a narrow 67-64 victory Feb. 19 at Kellogg Arena.
The game went down-to-the-wire, and Chico State had the last possession of the game. While the Wildcats took the final shot in the closing seconds of the game, Broncos’ lockdown defense helped secure their win.
The Broncos’ current conference record is 9-10 after this game, with only three regular-season games remaining before the Broncos can enter the CCAA tournament. Head coach Greg Kamansky mentioned the importance of every remaining game, as the CCAA tournament draws closer.
“Every game is a big game, but if the players play with spirit, a competitive nature and take shots, then they can finish each game knowing they went down fighting,” Kamansky said.
Chico State opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers and led for 10 minutes, sustaining their lead by shooting successful perimeter shots and limiting CPP from getting easy turnover shots.
The Broncos regrouped after a timeout, and guard Malcom Bell scored the Broncos’ first points with a layup at minute five. CPP went on a scoring run after and tightened their defense, which helped CPP lead through the rest of the first half. They started halftime, 32-29.
“Staying together was our biggest positive,” guard Demarreya Lewis-Cooper said. “The guys picked each other up, and everybody stepped up, keeping their energy.”
Forward Jake Goldberg made CPP’s first shot in the second. The Wildcats took the lead after, but Lewis-Cooper quickly responded with a 3-pointer, helping the Broncos regain a 43-42 lead that lasted throughout the rest of the game.
The Broncos went on another scoring run during the first five minutes of the second half. However, with defensive rebounds and prompt shots, Chico State traded baskets with CPP through the second half, which only left three points separating the two squads.
With those three points and less than a minute remaining, Wildcats had a chance to send the match into overtime, but with CPPs strong defense and multiple timeouts called, CPP defended its home court, sealing a 67-64 victory.
“Do what you must do to stop them and do not let them get a 3-pointer,” Kamansky said during the final timeout.
Lewis-Cooper scored 18 points on 58% from the field, tying his highest scoring game of the season. He scored nine of those points in the second half, creating a consistent performance throughout the game.
“The energy to start stayed throughout the whole game, keeping the defense and intensity, which is what made a difference in the game,” Lewis-Cooper said.
Goldberg and Bell both added 15 points to the game, making them scorers along with Lewis-Cooper.
CPP’s defensive rebounds and offensive substitutions in the last timeout are what made the difference to end the game, Kamasky said. “Looking ahead, the team must play the game they love and play with spirit.”
Feature image courtesy of the CPP Athletics
