By Ashanti Velez, March 10, 2026
Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball team clinched first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament and won CCAA first regular season title since 2014 following its victory against Cal State Dominguez Hills Feb. 26, capturing a 95-69 lead.
The victory marks the Broncos’ 25th conference championship overall, creating the most among all CCAA in conference history. Head coach Danelle Bishop also earned her second regular-season title.
“We like to reference the Kobe quote ‘job’s not done’ and kind of going back to, it’s 0-0 now,” guard Andera Stajic said. “The conference was fun, but we have a whole other season ahead of us now in the post-season, so I think we’re all levelheaded. It was a lot of smiles, a lot of hugs, but at the end of the day, it didn’t really mean anything to us in terms of what we have next.”
Stajic led the Broncos with a career high 23 points, four assists and a 40-minute run. Forward Sydney Nelson added 22 points and three rebounds, while forward Hunter Hudson contributed 16 points, one assist and 19 rebounds.
The Broncos set the tone early in the first quarter with a strong layup from forward Mydrea Moore, followed by a jumper by Stajic. CPP built a quick momentum, leading 15-1 midway through the opening period after two free throws from guard Kadence Lloyd.
“It’s just so beautiful to see Andera finally be able to just kind of shine,” Lloyd said. “She puts in a lot of work behind the scenes, and some games earlier in the season, she couldn’t find her rhythm, and I think her officially finding her rhythm. This second half of season has just been so beautiful to watch.”
Dominguez Hill attempted to respond, but every basket was falling for CPP. The Broncos had the advantage and closed out the first quarter 31-14, holding a 17-point lead.
The second quarter opened slowly before Nelson added a layup. She and Stajic continued a back-and-forth shooting streak that pushed the lead to 39-14.
The Toros tried to close the gap with baskets from guard Camryn Washington and forward Tiara Jones with three minutes remaining in the quarter, but Hudson answered with a jumper to maintain control. CPP entered halftime leading 49-26.
“Anytime you can come out and dominate, I think it always improves your confidence,” Bishop said. “For us, we try not to think too much about the lead. Our mindset is always, we are down and we have to battle, we have to work 10 times harder. So that was the conversation in the locker room at halftime. It was basically, you know we’re down 20. We have to put our foot on the gas.”
Nelson opened the third quarter with six quick points from two layups and converting from the free throw line. The Broncos built a lead up to 31 points, adding a late layup from guard Brielle Minor. CPP maintained their rhythm as they carried a 70-39 advantage into the final quarter.
The Toros came out strong in the fourth quarter with guard A’moree Ferrel knocking down multiple 3-pointers. The Broncos held up, as Stajic followed up with a 3-pointer of her own.
Lloyd contributed a free throw to keep up the momentum, but forward Madison Eade’s final free throw in the closing seconds sealed the victory 95-69.
Nelson explained the team prioritizes staying in the moment and concentrating on opponents in front of them, rather than looking ahead, to maintain consistent focus in the daily routine.
“We really want to make this a breakout tournament to show everyone why we were the No. 1 seed in conference, and it wasn’t some fluke,” Nelson said. “It was because we put in the work preseason and during the season. I’m really excited for what every single person on this team, coaches included, can show during these next couple of weeks.”
With the win, the Broncos improved to 24-9 overall. After also defeating Cal State Los Angeles March 1, CPP has won seven of its past 10 games and locked down the outright CCAA title earning the No. 1 seed heading into postseason play.
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
