By Lesly Velasco Guerra, Jan. 25, 2022
Cal Poly Pomona’s women basketball continues its season as the Spring 2022 semester begins, holding a 5-9 overall and 4-6 in the CCAA standing after matches against Cal State Los Angeles and Cal State San Marcos.
On Jan. 22, the Broncos secured the win against CSU Los Angeles at the Kellogg Arena with a score of 76-69. The Bronco’s victory followed after a match against Cal State San Marcos on Jan. 20, resulting in a tough 50-80 loss.
The match against CSU Los Angeles began with the opponents in the lead. However, within seconds, the Broncos tied 2-2. In less than a minute, guard Ally Bates, scored a three pointer, which left the Broncos in the lead. With 31 seconds remaining of the first quarter, guard Breanne Ha scored a three pointer, where the first quarter concluded, Broncos winning 41-33.
The Broncos remained in the lead up to half time, with no additional scoring from either team. This lead remained throughout the rest of the match and ended the third quarter at 50-55 and resulted in a final score of 76-90. The last point was scored by guard Jayda Villareal, who scored 16 points in this match.
While the Broncos reign winners against CSU Los Angeles, they fell short against the CSU San Marcos’ Cougars in an intense four quarter match.
Freshman guard, Sydney Fedinec, explained her frustration after the game against CSU San Marcos but assured this isn’t a step back. “There’s always bumps on the road, we’ll come back stronger,” says Fedenic.
Fedenic, along with her teammates, faced CSU San Marcos, which remains in second place in the CCAA standings.
CPP began with the lead when center Ciara James scored the first two points within the first minute of the game. Soon after, both teams went back in forth leading up to the end of the first quarter with an ending score of the 6-15.
Almost three minutes in to the second quarter, Fedinec, assisted by Bates, scored a three pointer, moving up the score for the Broncos to 9-15. Within a minute, after a turnover by Villareal, CSU San Marcos scored, resulting in 9-18. The Broncos and Cougars battled up until the last seconds of the second quarter. With 0.03 left, forward Monica Todd, stole the ball and scored two points, leaving the Broncos in a close match of 27-28. However, CSU San Marcos netted in a free throw soon after and the teams reached halftime with a score of 27-29.
Bates, who was named CCAA Player of the Week after their match against Humboldt, explained her thoughts on the game.
“In the game, we’re just trying to get that next ball and that next possession on offense, it’s going to get the momentum going,” said Bates. “The score to me isn’t really that relevant at the time, it’s just focusing on the possession that is going to get you ahead defensively and then on offense as well.”
CSU San Marcos opened up the third quarter with three points, followed by CPP’s two free throws points. With nine minutes remaining, Todd scored two more points, again leaving the Broncos only one point short at 31-32. The teams battled it out and ended the third quarter, Broncos down 41-57. After the Broncos fought until the end, the last quarter was filled with an addition of nine points for CPP and 23 points for CSU San Marcos, finalizing a score of 50-80.
Although the Broncos fell short, head coach Danelle Bishop, is hopeful for the season and looks forward to creating strong chemistry amongst the team. Bishop also added that this season’s roster consists of only three returning players that have been under her coaching.
“Adjusting to a new team is always a challenge, but it’s been really fun, and the team has been very welcoming, and the coaching staff is amazing, so it’s been a pretty easy adjustment,” said Bates, who transferred from Hawaii Pacific University.
As the season advances, the team will continue to practice and create consistent chemistry.
CPP’s women basketball will play home Thursday, Jan. 27 against Cal State Dominguez Hills at the Kellogg Arena. For more information, visit broncoathletics.com.
Feature image courtesy of Lesly Velasco Guerra