POMONA, Calif. – After a 1-1 start to the new season, Cal Poly Pomona men's basketball will continue non-conference play with a 7 p.m. matchup at nationally-ranked Cal Baptist on Saturday.
 
Last week, the Broncos fell 73-60 to Azusa Pacific in the season opener. Then one night later, CPP topped Dixie State 82-74.
 
Now, the Broncos turn their attention to Saturday's showdown in Riverside. In the preseason NCAA Division II poll released on Nov. 1, Cal Baptist was featured at No. 9 nationally as the top-ranked West Region squad. So far this year, the Lancers are 2-0 with wins over Montana State Billings and Cal State Dominguez Hills.
 
CPP will be looking to avenge its loss to the Lancers in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament in Monmouth, Ore. CBU was later eliminated by UC San Diego in the second round.
 
The 2016-17 Broncos have featured a balanced attack through the first two games. Four CPP student-athletes are averaging double figures in scoring. That group includes Jeremy Dennis (15.0 points per game), Jordan Ogundiran (14.5), William Christmas (11.0) and Chris Sullivan (10.0).
 
Although the Broncos have not been as efficient as their opponents in the categories of field goal and free throw percentages, CPP has made up for that in the turnover battle. The Broncos have committed just 27 turnovers while forcing 43 from their opponents.
 
In the opening week of games CPP collected 23 steals, including a team-high five from Dennis.
 
The Broncos' defense will get a challenge this Saturday as CBU is averaging 97 points per game this year. The Lancers' offense is led by senior guard Michael Smith and junior center Kalidou Diouf.