By A. Gabriela Garcia, February 24, 2026
The team needs to win three of its final four games to clinch the California Collegiate Athletic Association title.
The Broncos set the tone early, outscoring the Bobcats 20-6 in the first quarter. Forward Andrea Stajic started the points surge with her controlled perimeter shooting, while the defense locked in their strategy. The team forced 21 turnovers in the contest and converted those into 21 points.
“I was super happy my teammates were finding me today,” Stajic said. “I couldn’t do it without them. They’re assisting left and right, and I’ve been trying to put up some shots, and today it was hitting.”
Stajic led the scoring with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including four 3-pointers in her second straight game, while adding six rebounds and three steals.
The bench came in confidently at the start of the second quarter, receiving 20 points. Guard Brielle Minor added nine points and five assists, while center Khamiyah Anderson and guard Alexis Woodson scored 13 points and 13 rebounds combined.
This strong defense produced the Broncos’ best defensive game of the season. Forward Madison Eade came in ready for defense at 7:07 in the second quarter, blocking two shots and going two for two in field goals made and field goals attempted.
The Broncos continued this momentum throughout the first half, leading 38-13.
Going into the second half, the Bobcats came aggressively, attacking the rim and increasing their scoring, but the Broncos remained level-headed.
“We start both halves with a 0-0, down 20 mentality, no matter what the score is,” Stajic said. “We have to imagine that this is the most challenging game.”
The Bobcats continued increasing physicality in the second half, causing an uptick in fouls that allowed more opportunities for the Broncos to earn points at the free throw line. This ultimately increased the lead to 49-15 in the third quarter.
One foul allowed Eade to earn a free throw, adding to her point collection that ended with five points. By the end of the third quarter, CPP carried a 57-20 lead into the final 10 minutes of regulation.
“Although I don’t start, I try to get as ready as I possibly can when I do go in,” Eade said. “By showing my biggest support for whoever is in, having lots of energy and looking out for what I can do when I go in, so I can produce the most I can.”
As fouls from the Bobcats increased, the Broncos continued to show steady defense forcing turnovers and increasing pressure.
“We’ve talked a lot in the locker room about our physicality and matching the physicality of the game,” Minor said. “It’s going to be important for us not to get out bodied.”
Head coach Danelle Bishop added with the physicality of other teams, it is important for the Broncos to be mentally tough when calls are not being made.
“It’s really hard sometimes as a player to play through that if (the opposing team) grabs your arm,” Bishop said.
With this victory, the Broncos are now 2-0 all-time against UC Merced and have increased their winning streak to seven straight games. With four regular season games remaining, the team remains focused on performing well.
“We talk about the CCAA tournament every day and having that goal in the back of our minds really helps,” Eade said. “If we just practice like we never won and play like we never lost in every game, then we’ll do ok.”
Feature image courtesy of A. Gabriela Garcia
