POMONA, Calif. – A tremendous second half led to the Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball topping the visiting Jacks of Humboldt State 51-38 on Saturday. The 38 points put in by HSU was the Broncos' lowest opposition score of the past few seasons, dating back to a 2013-14 matchup against Cal State Monterey Bay.
The win was the Green and Gold's sixth of the season as they now hold a 6-12 mark, complete with a 4-7 showing in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Playing the role of visitor to Kellogg Arena, the Jacks now hold a conference record of 5-6 en route to their season tally of 8-10.
Leading the Broncos' offense was senior
Mary Williams, she posted a total of 13 points and was named the La Quinta Player of the Game with her tally as well as the nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks that she contributed. Just behind Williams was
Jackie Ricketson, a freshman on the CPP squad. The recent product of Ayala High School added 12 points on a 4-for-7 shooting, complete with four shots made from the free throw line.
Williams' nine rebound tally led the Green and Gold as well, just a couple behind her with seven was
Alyssa Benton who also added eight points. Just behind Benton, and with six boards and nine points was
Erin Hagan.
In the contest, the Broncos almost appeared to be two separate teams. After a struggling team left the court at half at a 10-point disadvantage and the scoreboard reading 25-15, a rejuvenated and motivated squad returned.
In the first half, the Broncos found the net on just six shots for a 26.09% shooting from the field. The second half saw the team nearly double both those numbers as they added 36 points to the board and limited the opposing Jacks to just 13 points on a 12.5% performance from the field. Three of the Jacks' four shots made in the second half were from beyond the arc.
The third quarter found the Broncos with their second largest run of the game as they added 10 points to the board bringing their tally to 27 and finding them just a couple shots back of the Jacks who had added a three to kick off the half.
In the fourth and final quarter, the Broncos limited HSU to a mere two points while sinking 20 themselves. Hagan opened the closing quarter with a pair of successful jumpers, then the Jacks made one of two free throws that would be their only points of the quarter.
Williams added a jumper to tie the score at 37-37, then
Marshanique Hall sank a three to give the Broncos the lead for the remainder of the game. A Jacks' free throw came next, then the Green and Gold closed out the game on an 11-point tear to have the game reach its final score of 51-38.
The Broncos will return to action on Thursday as they host local rivals, the Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes for Pack the Stands Night at Kellogg Arena. The evening will be ripe with events and halftime entertainment. The women's contest will begin at 5:30 with the men following roughly 20 minutes after their conclusion.
