ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball punched their ticket to the NCAA West Region Finals with a gritty 57-54 win over Western Washington on Saturday evening at Nicholson Arena.
 
The Broncos improved to 28-4 on the season by rallying from an early deficit and closing the game in the final minutes. Western Washington led by as many as 13 in the second quarter, but CPP chipped away before entering halftime trailing just 30-26.
 
The Broncos steadily battled back in the second half, matching the Vikings 17-17 in the third quarter before taking control in the final period. Cal Poly Pomona's defense held Western Washington to just one field goal in the fourth quarter, limiting the Vikings to seven points and 6.3 percent shooting to secure the comeback win.
 
Freshman Madison Eade led the Broncos with 13 points and six rebounds, providing key offense throughout the second half. Fellow freshman Kadence Lloyd added nine points, including a crucial three-pointer with under three minutes remaining that helped swing the momentum in favor of the Broncos. Mydrea Moore recorded 11 points and eight rebounds while protecting the rim with seven blocks in a dominant defensive effort. Her seven blocks ties the school record for most in a game, while also marking the most of any CPP player in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Sydney Nelson contributed across the board with eight points, seven rebounds, and five assists, helping facilitate the Broncos' offense during their comeback run. Cal Poly Pomona's depth also played a key role, with the Broncos' bench outscoring Western Washington's reserves 26-4.
 
In the closing moments, Lloyd and Nelson combined to convert critical free throws, while Hunter Hudson emphatically blocked Western Washington's final scoring attempt to seal the win.
 
 
Up Next
With the win, Cal Poly Pomona advances to the NCAA West Region Finals and will return to the court Monday night at 7 p.m. for a chance to move on to the national quarterfinals.
 
 
Bronco Bits

• The Broncos are now 1-2 against Western Washington since 2008, and 3-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
• Head coach Danelle Bishop is now 299-142 (.678) as head coach of the Broncos, and 22-19 (.537) in the postseason. Including two previous stops at APU and CBU, Bishop is 437-227 all-time as a head coach.
• The Broncos were ranked No. 8 in the latest WBCA poll.
• The Broncos are 59-24 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. They are 16-2 all-time in the regional semifinals and 28-11 in neutral venues.
• Mydrea Moore's 7 blocks is tied for the most in a game in program history, and is the most of any CPP player in the NCAA Tournament.