By Samantha Campion, Nov. 26, 2024
Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball team controlled the boards to collect its third consecutive win, while the men’s basketball team scored a season-high 84 points against La Sierra University, improving to 4-1 overall.
The women’s basketball team rebounded from its ranked loss against Azusa Pacific Nov. 8, extending its three-game winning streak with two victories over Biola University and Hope International.
The Biola Eagles challenged the Broncos defensively, earning two steals and a defensive rebound that resulted in three consecutive three-pointers to take a 9-0 advantage out the gate Nov. 14.
Guard Kalaya Buggs remained aggressive offensively, drawing two defensive fouls to earn 4 points at the free throw line for the Broncos.
Reigning Freshman of the Year Sydney Nelson converted a layup off a fast break to cut the deficit to 1 point heading into the second quarter 15-14.
The Broncos trailed the Eagles 20-19 before back-to-back 3-pointers by guard Breanne Ha and Buggs off a defensive rebound earned the Broncos their first lead of the game at 25-20 — the only lead change of the game.
The Eagles gained momentum late in the fourth quarter to appear within reach of a four-point deficit at 59-54 behind two free throws and a layup.
Ha hit a crucial 3-pointer to extend the Broncos’ lead to 8 points, her third of the night, followed by a layup and another 3-pointer by Buggs to seal the victory 68-58.
The Broncos shot 49% from the field, going 24 for 49 and 6 for 12 (.500) from beyond the arc to total 18 points.
“We’re a tough matchup for other teams; we have a lot of players that can do a variety of things,” head coach Danelle Bishop said. “It just comes down to us being confident in each of our players playing their roles and what their strengths are.”
Three student-athletes recorded double-digit figures for the fourth time this season. Guard Jeanette Fine scored a game-high 18 points, Nelson finished with 17 points, and Buggs completed the trio with 14 points.
The Eagles set the tone down low with 35 rebounds to the Broncos’ 24.
Nelson said the players were disappointed in their rebounding efforts and used that emotion to motivate them to improve defensively in their next couple of games.
“We knew we could’ve been better during that Biola game,” Nelson said. “We knew that wasn’t what we wanted our identity to be as a team, and we’re going to turn that around. We had these goals that we set, so let’s put them into practice.”
In the second matchup against HIU Nov. 16, CPP dominated by the rim to collect a season-high 51 rebounds to the Royals’ 33.
CPP currently ranks first in the CCAA for offensive rebounds and steals.
Guard Brielle Minor came off the bench to drain a 3-pointer that gave the Broncos their first advantage at 7-5 and sparked a 10-3 scoring run to end the first quarter.
CPP held onto the lead for the game’s entirety and outscored HIU in three of the four quarters to close out its third win of the season, 75-52.
The Broncos’ bench stood out on the stat sheet, accounting for 18 rebounds and 28 of the team’s season-high 75 points.
Guard Alexis Woodson led with 10 points off the bench, joining forward Mydrea Moore and Nelson in double-digits with 17 points and 14 points, respectively.
“Any coach would be proud that you can sub off the bench and know you’re going to get quality minutes out of your players,” Bishop said. “They came here to be a part of a successful program.”
The women’s team improved to a 3-1 start for the third consecutive year.
The men’s team shot 50% from behind the arc, going 10 for 20 to outlast the Concordia Irvine Golden Eagles 80-78 in the final minute on the road Nov. 14.
The Broncos currently lead the CCAA for team 3-point percentage and 3-point field goals made.
Head coach Greg Kamansky attributed the success to the team’s new offensive system and recruiting players who could succeed in their style of play, pushing the ball to score more points.
Forward Caleb Nelson made 5 of 10 shots from beyond the arc, registering 19 total points behind guard Demarreya Lewis-Cooper with a team-high 22 points.
“His (Lewis-Cooper) passing ability is just as strong as his scoring ability, and that’s what attracted us to him,” Kamansky said. “He’s a guy that can make everyone around him better, so we expect big things from him.”
The Broncos came up short in a matchup with the Biola Eagles in the home opener, despite a career-high performance by guard Shyheim Parm with 24 points Nov. 16.
Nelson opened the scoring with a 3-pointer and two free throws that gained momentum for the Broncos to outscore the Eagles, 11-2.
CPP reached its largest lead at 10 points after a 3-pointer by guard Zach Broadous, but Biola chipped away at the deficit to come within 5 points heading into halftime.
The Eagles tied the game at 45-45 two minutes into the second half, starting a series of trading points and five lead changes throughout the night.
Just as the victory looked within reach for Biola with an 8-point lead at 67-59, two consecutive 3-pointers by Parm and a layup by guard Miles Lewis tied the game for the last time at 67-67.
The back-and-forth battle commenced once again before the Eagles regained a 7-point lead and held on to overwhelm the Broncos, 83-79.
Three student-athletes complemented Parm in double-digit figures: Broadous with 16 points, Nelson with 11 points and Lewis with 10 points.
In the final matchup against La Sierra on the road Nov. 19, CPP recorded a season-high 44 bench points led by forwards Sam Hunter and Edric Dennis with 15 and 13, respectively.
“As a coach, you get so happy to see success for these guys that don’t get a ton of minutes and all of the sudden, they go out and perform,” Kamansky said. “We need to be deep, and I’m hoping I have a tough choice everyday who to play and how much time to play.”
The women’s team travels on the road to face Concordia Irvine Nov. 23, before joining the men’s team at Cal State San Bernadino for the conference opener Nov. 30.
Photos courtesy of Leroy Crook