CHICO, Calif. — Cal Poly Pomona overcame a rough offensive output in the first quarter to pull within six at halftime, but couldn't quite complete the comeback Saturday night, falling 79-67 to Chico State on the road.
The Broncos drop to 6-4 and 2-2 in the CCAA, while the Wildcats move to 5-4 and 1-3 in conference.
Kasey Smit had a stellar night, posting a double-double with 18 points (7-for-14) and a career-high 14 rebounds.
Dominique Dotson followed with 15 points, while Quinesha Vanhook contributed 13 points and
Jayda Villareal added another 11.
Chico State held CPP to just one basket in the first quarter to hold a 15-5 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.
With plenty of game left to play, the Broncos found their rhythm and out-scored the Wildcats 28-24 in the second to pull within two possessions, 39-33, at halftime.
The surge came with just three and a half minutes remaining in the quarter.
Ayah League found Smit under the basket to spark a 9-0 run. Smit then came up big on defense with a block and a defensive board to put the Broncos back on the attack. Three CPP free throws fueled the run, which was capped by a League tripple to put the Broncos within one, 34-33.
Chico State wouldn't surrender the lead, however, as it scored five points to end the second and take a 39-33 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, CPP was determined to keep the game close and try to turn momentum in its favor. Smit opened the third with the first points of the quarter, banking in a shot just outside the paint off an assist from Vanhook, 39-35.
CPP chipped away and once again pulled within one, 47-46, off a Vanhook jumper off a Villareal pass, but the Broncos just couldn't get the tides to turn in its favor.
The Wildcats kept the Broncos at an arm's length and ended the third with a 57-48 upper hand. Chico State then used that momentum to build back its double-digit lead and sealed the 79-67 victory.
CPP gets almost two weeks to recover, taking on Cal State San Marcos on Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. back home in Kellogg Arena.
