POMONA, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona delivered a 72-53 victory over conference opponent UC Merced, improving to 13-11 overall and 8-10 in CCAA play. In a historic first, the Bobcats played their first men's basketball game in Pomona, and the Broncos combined efficient offense with steady defensive pressure to secure the win.
The opening minutes featured early back and forth action. UC Merced briefly grabbed the lead behind a pair of three pointers, but the Broncos quickly settled in. Kevin Simeth established a presence inside with a fastbreak dunk and strong finishes around the rim, helping Pomona regain momentum. As the half progressed, the Broncos began to control the tempo, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities.
Perimeter shooting proved to be a difference maker midway through the first half. Demarreya Lewis-Cooper and Jake Goldberg connected from beyond the arc during a key stretch that pushed the lead to double digits. The Broncos shot over 50 percent from the field in the opening period and forced consistent turnovers, converting them into valuable points in transition. Pomona carried a 37-25 advantage into halftime after closing the half with a three pointer and a late jumper to maintain control.
UC Merced made an early push after the break, trimming the deficit to six following a three-point play. The Broncos responded with composure. Zach Broadous knocked down a three pointer, and Michael Saba provided interior scoring to steady the lead. Moments later, Lewis Cooper connected again from long range to extend the margin back to double figures.
Defensively, Cal Poly Pomona tightened its grip throughout the second half. The Broncos forced 16 turnovers on the afternoon and turned those opportunities into 21 points. Simeth and Malcolm Bell anchored the effort on the glass, while balanced scoring across the lineup prevented UC Merced from building sustained momentum.
Each time UC Merced threatened to chip away at the lead, Pomona answered with timely execution on both ends of the floor. The Broncos maintained their composure down the stretch, closing out the conference victory and defending their home court on a milestone night in the matchup's history.
Up Next:
The Broncos remain at Kellogg Arena to host Chico State on Thursday, February 19th at 7:30 PM.
Bronco Bits:
- Greg Kamansky is now 483-227 as the head coach of the Broncos
- Now in its 78th season, CPP Men's Basketball is 1,179-935 all-time with a 516-426 record in CCAA games
- Demarreya Lewis-Cooper scored 17 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range
- The Broncos had a 39-30 rebounding advantage
- The score was only tied once in the game
- The Broncos claimed 21 points off of turnovers
