POMONA – With a 60-53 win over Cal State East Bay Thursday night, Cal Poly Pomona clinched a top-four finish in the CCAA.
 
The Broncos improve to 18-9 overall, 14-7 in conference, and will host the first round of the CCAA tournament next Tuesday against an opponent to be determined. The Pioneers drop to 16-11 on the year and 12-9 in the CCAA.
 
Three Broncos finished the night in double figures, with Jayda Villareal posting 18 points (6-for-14) with four steals. Jackie Ricketson and Kasey Smit (8-for-12) each chipped in 17 points, with Smit grabbing 14 boards to help CPP win the glass 37-to-34.
 
CPP opened the night with six-straight points off a Que Vanhook and-one and a Villareal trey. The Broncos kept their lead for the whole period, ending the first quarter how it started, with six unanswered points.
 
The Pioneers battled back, however, and sent the two teams into halftime deadlocked at 26-26.
 
In the third, both teams exchanged the lead, but Ricketson stole the ball away and laid in the fastbreak to send CPP into the fourth with momentum. She kept things rolling in the fourth, banking in a jumper less than 30 seconds into the quarter to put CPP within one possession, 41-38.
 
Smit drove to the basket with three minutes, 19 seconds left to tie the game. She drew contact as she made the bucket, earning an and-one. Smit finished her chance at the line to put the Broncos back in front.
 
It fueled a 10-0 run as the Broncos created some separation, 57-51, with just one minute remaining.
 
The Pioneers fouled to try to get the ball back, but Dotson, Villareal and Ricketson all hit free throws to secure the 60-53 victory.
 
CPP has one last game before postseason begins, hosting Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The Broncos will honor six seniors prior to tip off: Lauryn Catching, Mylah Andrada, Jackie Ricketson, Que Vanhook, Dominique Dotson, and Kasey Smit.