SAN DIEGO – Cal Poly Pomona dropped a close 78-74 battle to Azusa Pacific in the first game of the season at the CCAA/PacWest Challenge.
 
The Broncos open the year 0-1, while the Cougars start 1-0.
 
Rebecca Islas led the Broncos with 24 points (10-for-18) and had 10 rebounds for the double-double. Jayda Villareal (4-for-7), Ciara James (5-for-9) and Sydney Fedinec each contributed 10 points for the Broncos.
 
As a team, CPP dominated the glass 55-to-40, but 29 turnovers plagued the Broncos as the Cougars scored 28 points from turnovers.
 
Both teams held leads in the first half, but neither could get out in front by much until the Broncos opened the third quarter with five-straight points to grab the first double-digit lead of the night, 39-29.
 
CPP extended its lead to 17 points, 50-33, after Islas sparked a 9-0 run by banking in an offensive board. Ally Bates followed with a three-pointer, before Monica Todd made back-to-back jump shots to create some separation for the Broncos.
 
The Cougars clawed their way back into the game in the fourth, however, and took a three-point lead with five seconds left on the clock.
 
In the final seconds of the game, Bates came up big for the Broncos, draining a trey to send it into overtime.
 
APU won the overtime period, however, to take the game 78-74.
 
CPP continues at the CCAA/PacWest Challenge, taking on Point Loma on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.