Box Score
LOS ANGELES – The Cal Poly Pomona men's basketball team suffered another tough loss on the road Saturday, dropping a 50-45 decision to Cal State L.A.
The Broncos held a halftime lead of 26-21 and also staked an advantage with four minutes to play in the second period, but CPP's struggles at the free throw line kept the Golden Eagles close and CSULA squeaked out the narrow win.
CPP sits at 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while CSULA improves to 5-1 overall and 2-1 through conference play.
Although the Broncos were able to hold the Golden Eagles to a 32.7 shooting percentage, CSULA limited its turnovers – the hosts ended up with eight – and hit just enough free throws in the final stages to upset CPP.
Tobias Jahn collected his first career double-double on Saturday for the Broncos, totaling 14 points and 11 rebounds. For the Golden Eagles, Franklin Session and Chris Robinson concluded the evening as the two CSULA players in double figures with 16 and 15 points respectively.
CPP led for the majority of the first half, during which Donnelle Booker contributed 11 points to pace the Broncos. Two of his four field goals in that span were of the three-point variety, including one to open the contest and the other to push CPP's lead to five late in the period.
The Broncos took a five-point advantage into the second half but it slowly disappeared and the two squads traded control of the lead through much of the period. At the 5:15 mark, CPP found itself up 40-38. Over the next four minutes though, the Golden Eagles went on a 9-0 run that included five successful free throws.
Despite facing a daunting seven-point deficit with 1:06 to play in regulation, the Broncos rallied behind a three-point layup and free throw play by Jahn to trim the lead to 48-45 with 20 seconds to go.
CSULA managed to hit a pair of free throws and CPP missed its desperation chances, leaving the host Golden Eagles with the slim victory.
Matt Rosser put together another strong night at the free throw line, going 5-for-5. He now has knocked down all 13 of his attempts so far this season. The team as a whole though is hitting those chances at 61.8 percent.
Booker ended his night with six rebounds and 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting.
The Broncos will be back in action at home on Dec. 11 when they host non-conference opponent American Sports University at 5 p.m.
