Box Score | SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -Â The Cal Poly Pomona men's basketball team knocked off Dixie State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday as sophomore
Jordan Faison totaled a game-high 20 points in the 73-65 victory.
The Broncos advance into the West Regional semifinal round Saturday. CPP will take on Cal State Stanislaus in a 5 p.m. tipoff at San Bernardino's Coussoulis Arena.
Faison, a Lake Forest native, also matched the career best in assists he set last week with another five on Friday. The CPP reserves played well too as
Quentin Taylor and
Jordan Finn contributed nine points apiece.
As a team, the Broncos shot 49 percent from the field and 76 percent at the free throw line. The 76-percent mark stands as the second-best figure this season.
CPP and Dixie traded the lead early on and the game stayed close throughout. The Broncos managed to push their advantage to 31-26 after a
DeRonn Scott jumper at the 1:22 mark. The Red Storm added free throws in the final minute of the period to trim the score to 31-27 going into halftime.
The Broncos ended up leading throughout the second half but DSC didn't make it easy for CPP. A Scott triple at 13:59 widened the Broncos' lead to 45-36 but the Red Storm rallied for a 6-0 run to make it a one-possession game again.
The CPP defense, ranked No. 1 nationally, limited All-PacWest First Team honoree Zach Robbins to 10 points while forcing 19 turnovers from the Red Storm squad. Playing a key role in the Broncos' offense alongside Faison was Scott, who finished with 12 points and four assists.
Making its 11th all-time NCAA postseason appearance, CPP now holds a 23-9 record at this stage. The Broncos are 4-0 at Coussoulis Arena through the last three years.
NCAA Men's Basketball West RegionalFriday, March 14 (Regional Quarterfinals)12:00 p.m.
No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona 73, No. 6 Dixie State 65
2:30 p.m.
No. 7 Cal State Stanislaus 80, No. 2 Seattle Pacific 72
5:00 p.m. No. 4 Chico State (22-7) vs. No. 5 Cal Baptist (24-3)
7:30 p.m. No. 1 Cal State San Bernardino (23-4) vs. No. 8 Chaminade (19-12)
Saturday, March 15 (Regional Semifinals)Game 5 - No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona vs. No. 7 Cal State Stanislaus, 5:00 p.m.
Game 6 - Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, March 17 (Regional Championship)Game 7 - Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 7:00 p.m
