POMONA – Cal Poly Pomona took it to the wire with Chico State Thursday night, but came up just short with an 80-78 loss.

The Broncos drop to 15-9 on the year and 11-7 in the CCAA, while the Wildcats improve to 13-10 overall, 9-8 in conference.

Four Broncos finished the night in double figures, led by Kasey Smit with 21 points and 12 rebounds for the double-double. Jackie Ricketson also had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists. Que Vanhook chipped in 16 points, while Mylah Andrada also scored 11 points.

CPP crushed the glass, out-rebounding the Wildcats 53-to-31.

The Broncos took the first major lead of the night, jumping out to a 17-7 upper hand halfway through the first. Smit sank two chances at the line to spark the 7-0 run to give CPP the cushion, with Lauryn Catching hitting another two free throws to cap the run.

Chico State managed to cut the margin to two possessions, 26-22, in the second, but CPP walked into halftime with a 37-25 lead.

Smit kept things rolling to start the third, banking in a jumper off a Vanhook assist you push CPP's upper hand to 14 points.

The Wildcats made things interesting late in the third and carried momentum into the fourth to take over the lead, 65-62, less than two minutes into the final period.

The lead changed three times in the fourth, with the Wildcats jumping out to an eight-point cushion. The Broncos battled but couldn't overcome the deficit, falling 80-78.

CPP takes a short break, but is back in action next Thursday when it heads to Cal State Dominguez Hills for a 5:30 p.m. tip off.