Box Score | ONTARIO, Calif. - In a hard-fought semifinal matchup Friday evening at Citizens Business Bank Arena, the 18th-ranked Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball team secured a 66-58 victory over Cal State L.A.
The win advances CPP into the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championships title game Saturday against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
For CPP students attending Saturday's game in Ontario, there will be a free shuttle leaving from Lot K at 6:30 p.m. Spots on the shuttle will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For passengers on the bus, free tickets will also be awarded.
In the 20-year history of the CCAA tournament, the Broncos have captured 11 titles. Saturday will be an opportunity for No. 12 before the NCAA postseason bracket is unveiled Sunday at 7 p.m. on NCAA.com.
Four Broncos finished in double figures in Friday's win, including a team-high 19 points from
Ariel Marsh. CPP sank six three-pointers, including three from
J.J. Judge. In the post,
Ashley Lovett recorded a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds while
Jada Blackwell scored 18 points and added nine boards.
The two teams stayed close through the early portion of the first half as the stellar three-point shooting of the Golden Eagles' Paige Melville kept CSULA within striking distance.
A three-point play from Marsh off a layup and free throw started an 11-0 run for the Broncos as that run was capped with a Blackwell triple to push CPP's lead to 33-21 with four minutes left in the opening half.
The Broncos' defense limited L.A. to just one field goal through the final seven minutes of the first period and CPP took a 35-24 edge into halftime.
After Marsh knocked down a jumper in the second possession of the closing half, the Broncos experienced a nine-minute scoring drought as the Golden Eagles slowly worked back into contention.
A Melville triple at the 7:24 mark cut the CPP lead to 48-46 and the margin was pushed back down to two points about a minute later as well. The two-point difference was as close as L.A. would get in the second half though as the Broncos went 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the final minute, including four from Marsh and two by Lovett.
