By Mike Norys
The men’s basketball team defeated both their opponents last
weekend, but they made it about as hard as possible to do so.
On Saturday, the No. 24 Broncos went on an 11-0 run late in the
game ignited by back-to-back 3-pointers by senior Luis Pulido to
edge out UC San Diego, 60-54, in the RIMAC Arena. The victory came
one night after the Broncos nearly lost their own lead of 14 points
before defeating Cal State Dominguez Hills, 79-76, in the
Torodome.
With the road sweep, the Broncos (11-3, 7-2) remained in a
first-place tie with Cal State San Bernardino in the California
Collegiate Athletic Association.
On Saturday, Pulido’s back-to-back 3-pointers broke the game
open late.
The Broncos led, 49-47, when Pulido knocked down his first
3-pointer with 2:45 to go. On the ensuing possession, Pulido hit
another 3-pointer to make it 55-47. Four free throws by senior Dion
Cook and one by freshman Donnelle Booker accounted for the rest of
the 11-0 run giving Cal Poly a 60-47 lead in the final minute.
Cook led the Broncos with 20 points, while sophomore Larry
Gordon had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Junior
Kevin Neveu added seven points and three rebounds, including a big
three-point play that gave the Broncos the lead for good, 43-40,
with 7:03 to go.
On Friday, the Broncos built a 14-point advantage in the second
half and held off Cal State Dominguez Hills long enough to defeat
the Toros, 79-76, in the Torodome.
Cook led the team again with another 20 points, while Gordon had
a big second half to finish with 19 points and eight rebounds.
Jonathan Toliver had 20 points to lead the Toros, while Shamont
Brown had 15 points.
The Broncos went into the locker room trailing 41-40, but came
out strong in the second half, playing tough defense on their way
to the victory.
Gordon, who played only six minutes in the first half after
picking up two quick fouls, knocked down a 3-pointer to open the
second half. Cal Poly still trailed 45-43, but a 3-pointer from
Pulido gave the Broncos the lead for good with 17:27 left. Pulido’s
3-pointer broke open the game yet again, as Cal Poly went on an
18-2 run giving them a 61-47 lead with 10 minutes to play.
The Broncos led by at least seven points until the final minute
and had a 74-63 lead with 1:36 left after a pair of free throws by
Cook.
The Toros battled back, getting a layup from Brown and three
free throws by Toliver to cut the lead to 74-68 with 35 seconds
left. After a dunk by Gordon made it 76-68, Toliver knocked down a
3-pointer to make it 76-71. Cook responded with another free throw,
but Brown followed with another 3-pointer to make it 77-74 with six
seconds left.
Gordon made two free throws with five seconds left to put the
game away.
The Broncos will return to action this weekend with home games
on Friday at against Cal State Bakersfield and on Saturday against
Cal State L.A.
Mike Norys can be reached by e-mail at sports@thepolypost.com or
by phone at (909) 869-4630.
Broncos Post Two Big Road Victories
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