POMONA, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona delivered yet another commanding performance on both ends of the floor Saturday afternoon, defeating UC Merced 76-35 at Kellogg Arena. The Broncos controlled the game from the opening quarter and never looked back, improving to 22-2 overall and 17-1 in conference play while remaining two games ahead in the conference standings. The countdown is officially on, as CPP needs to win three of their final four games to clinch the outright CCAA title, which would be their first since 2013-14.
 
The nationally-ranked Broncos dominated the first quarter, outscoring the Bobcats 20-6 in the period. Andrea Stajic sparked the early surge with confident perimeter shooting, while the Broncos' defensive pressure began to dictate the tempo. Pomona forced 21 turnovers in the contest and converted them into 21 points.
 
Stajic led all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including making four three-pointers in her second straight game, and added six rebounds and three steals in a well-rounded effort. Hunter Hudson recorded her third double-double in her past four games with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, anchoring a dominant 57-30 advantage on the glass. Sydney Nelson contributed 12 points and three steals, consistently turning defense into transition opportunities.
 
The Broncos showcased their depth throughout the afternoon, receiving 20 points from the bench. Brielle Minor added nine points and five assists, while Khamiyah Anderson and Alexis Woodson combined for 13 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Cal Poly Pomona shot 47.8 percent from the field and scored 48 points in the paint, repeatedly attacking the interior. The Broncos also tallied 16 second-chance points and 12 fast-break points, capitalizing on their rebounding and defensive efforts.
 
Leading 38-13 at halftime, Cal Poly Pomona extended its margin to as many as 42 in the fourth quarter. UC Merced was limited to 23.3 percent shooting and just 1-of-20 from beyond the arc in CPP's most dominant defensive performance of the season.
 
 
Up Next
The Broncos will remain at home next weekend with games against Chico State (18-6) and Cal Poly Humboldt (16-8).
 
 
Bronco Bits

• The Broncos are now 2-0 all-time against UC Merced, with the Bobcats recently joining the NCAA and CCAA this academic year.
• Head coach Danelle Bishop is now 293-140 (.677) as head coach of the Broncos, and 226-93 (.708) in CCAA play. Including two previous stops at APU and CBU, Bishop is 431-225 all-time as a head coach.
• The Broncos were ranked No. 9 in the latest WBCA poll.
• This is the first time since the 1999-00 season that the team has started with a 22-2 record.
• CPP has the best overall winning percentage (.917) in both the CCAA and the west region this season, and rank sixth in all of NCAA Division II.