By Nicholas Martinez , November 25, 2025
The Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball team opened the season on the road with a 77-75 overtime win against Azuza Pacific University Nov. 15.
Momentum shifted back and forth as the game featured 18 lead changes with CPP trailing the Cougars at the end of the first half with 30-29. CPP’s defensive pressure kept hopes alive throughout the game, as their players won the turnover battle, forcing 26 turnovers on 17 steals.
“We did what we had to, but we gave up a lot of offensive rebounds,” said head coach Greg Kamansky. “But our defensive effort was there the whole game and that really helped us win. Over time, we just made the key plays and key stops. It was close, but we won.”
Junior guard Malcolm Bell had career highs with eight rebounds and five steals in his first game following an injury that shortened his 2024-25 campaign.
Bell also entered double figures with 13 points and scored two free throws in the final minute of the second half to send the game to overtime.
“It was awesome,” Kamansky said. “He hasn’t played in so long, so he was just getting his feet underneath him and playing with that intensity again. But he settled down in the second half and really played like the Malcolm we know can play.”
Bell scored the first points of the season with a layup, and both teams began to trade baskets until CPP went up by five with under eight minutes left in the half. The Cougars scored eight unanswered points and entered the break leading 30-29.
On the offensive end, three Broncos scored double figures, including senior guard Demarreya Lewis-Cooper.
Lewis-Cooper, the team’s leading scorer last season, led the scoring effort with a team-high 19-point outing and a pair of three-pointers.
“I’m coming in very hungry,” Lewis-Cooper said. “… I feel like I just have to leave it all out there.”
CPP’s season opener was initially scheduled as a home game against Seattle Pacific, but the cancelation led them away to Azusa Pacific instead.
“It definitely was a down feeling for everybody, because we were really pumped to have that first game at home in front of the crowd,” Lewis-Cooper said. “Coming in the next day, we just needed to get back on track, and once we got into the gym everybody was ready to go.”
With their non-conference play being shortened by a game, the Broncos will have five games before kicking off their CCAA schedule against Cal State LA in December.
“(Seattle Pacific) is the only team we played from up north and in previous years, when we’ve beaten them, it’s really helped us in the regional rankings,” Kamansky said. “But the reality is we got a lot of work to do anyways, and we’re not making it as an excuse.”
The Broncos round out their non-conference play against La Sierra Nov. 26 and Biola Nov. 29.
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
