Box Score: CPP at Chico State

CHICO – Wins have been hard to come by for Cal Poly Pomona at CCAA rival Chico State.
 
Not since the 2003-04 season had the Broncos earned a win at Acker Gym, but the combination of junior Reyana Colson, sophomore Megan Ford and senior Stephisha Walton played critical roles Sunday as the Broncos earned a hard-fought 65-63 victory the Wildcats. 

“They don't lose very often up here and this afternoon, we earned a confidence builder,'' Broncos coach Scott Davis said. “Coming off Christmas break is always a difficult test and to open the second half of the year and earn a road sweep, and finish it here is pretty sweet.'' 

The Broncos, now 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the CCAA, return for their longest home stand of the season this week when it faces Sonoma State on Friday with their first of five games at Kellogg Gym. 

Colson led CPP with 16 points and Ford earned her second straight double-double on the weekend with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Walton was stellar again off the glass with 13 boards, nine points, two assists and a block. 

“We competed very well,'' Davis said. “There were lots of people stepping up at different times. Jennifer Bryant hit a three-pointer in the first half and if she doesn't, we don't win.'' 

Reserve guard La'kenya Simon-West scored nine points, while sophomore Sarah Semenero scored seven first-half points before injuring her knee and missing the remainder of the game. Davis didn't know the severity of the injury. 

The Broncos held a lead as large as 14 in the first half and went into halftime ahead, 35-26. The Broncos led throughout the entire second half until Chico State's Pauline Ferrall hit an outside shot to push the Wildcats out front, 63-62, with 1:42 remaining in the game. 

Ford gave the Broncos the lead on their next possession. Chico State had two opportunities to go ahead, but Synchro Bull and Natasha Smith each missed field goals. Walton earned the rebound after Smith's shot with eight seconds left and was fouled by Christine Vest. 

Walton hit the first and CPP led 65-63. She missed the second and the Wildcats' Melissa Richardson missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. 

Richardson scored 18 with six 3-pointers and Smith scored a game-high 20 for the Wildcats, now 6-3, 3-1.