ELLENSBURG, Wash. – For the first time since 2014, and the 15^th time in program history, Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball has won the NCAA West Region Title! The Broncos came up with a big road win against host and No. 1 seed Central Washington, narrowly holding on for a 57-51 victory. With the win, the Broncos advance to the Elite Eight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania while also marking Head Coach Danelle Bishop's 300^th career win at Cal Poly Pomona.
 
The Broncos set the tone early with relentless effort on the glass, turning second-chance opportunities into 23 points throughout the game. Despite Central Washington closing the first quarter on a buzzer-beating three to take a 15-12 lead, CPP responded with a dominant 15-8 second period. A three-pointer from Brielle Minor early in the quarter sparked a momentum shift, and transition finishes from Sydney Nelson helped the Broncos reclaim control. The defense would shut down scoring opportunities late, allowing the Broncos to go into halftime with a 27-23 lead.
 
Just as she has done all season, Sydney Nelson proved why she was the best player on the court with a dominant 29-point performance on 13-of-26 shooting, adding 15 rebounds for a double-double. With Monday night's performance, Nelson passes the 1,500-career points mark, becoming the 11^th player in program history to ever score that many points in a Bronco uniform. For her performance, Nelson was named to the West Region All-Tournament Team and Tournament MVP.
 
Mydrea Moore was the other Bronco to be named to the All-Tournament Team, providing an efficient interior presence with 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting, while also contributing six rebounds and locking down the CWU offense.
 
The third quarter featured multiple lead changes as Central Washington battled back behind Capri Sims, who finished with 22 points, but the Broncos continued to generate offense through their work in the paint and on the offensive glass. Nelson scored repeatedly on second-chance opportunities, including a stretch where she accounted for six straight points to keep the Green & Gold in front late in the period.
 
Holding a slim 39-38 advantage entering the fourth, the Broncos delivered their most complete stretch of the game. Nelson opened the quarter with consecutive baskets, and Khamiyah Anderson added a critical second-chance score to extend the lead. Moments later, Moore converted inside to push the margin to seven, the largest lead of the night.
 
Central Washington trimmed the deficit to one in the final minutes, but the Bronco defense locked down any more scoring from the Wildcats. Nelson answered with a strong finish through contact to give the Broncos breathing room, but it was freshman Kadence Lloyd who delivered the dagger with a three-pointer in the closing seconds before sealing the game at the free throw line.

SHE WAS OPEN AND SHE DELIVERED👏

Kadence Lloyd hits a 3️⃣ to secure the lead for@cppbroncos over Central Wash. in the final seconds. #MakeItYours | #D2WBB pic.twitter.com/aiOveJIzFk

— NCAA Division II (@NCAADII) March 17, 2026

 
Cal Poly Pomona finished with a 45-30 rebounding advantage, including 15 offensive boards that led to 23 second-chance points, a decisive factor in the victory. The Broncos also controlled the paint, outscoring the Wildcats 34-24 inside.

BEST IN THE WEST 🏆

For the 15th time in program history, @cppwbb has won the NCAA West Region Title! They defeat Central Washington 57-51 to advance to Pittsburgh for the Elite Eight!#WeAreCPP pic.twitter.com/0GVoplKUEN

— Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (@cppbroncos) March 17, 2026

 
Up Next
The NCAA committee will reseed the remaining eight teams, which will determine matchups and game times for the Elite Eight. All four games of the next round will be played on Tuesday, March 24^th, at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
 
 
The Elite Eight (By Latest WBCA National Rankings)

• #2 Grand Valley State
• #3 Colorado Mesa
• #4 Indiana (PA)
• #8 Cal Poly Pomona
• #21 Holy Family
• #25 Alabama Huntsville
• Minnesota Duluth
• Carson-Newman

 
 
Bronco Bits

• The Broncos are now 4-1 against Central Washington since 2008, and 1-0 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
• Head coach Danelle Bishop is now 300-142 (.679) as head coach of the Broncos, and 23-19 (.548) in the postseason. Including two previous stops at APU and CBU, Bishop is 438-227 all-time as a head coach.
• This is Bishop's third regional title at CPP, having also held up regional trophies in 2011 and 2014.
• The Broncos were ranked No. 8 in the latest WBCA poll.
• The Broncos are 60-24 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. They are 15-5 all-time in the regional finals and 3-7 when facing a team on their home court.
• Sydney Nelson's 29 points is tied for the 9^th most in a game by a CPP player in NCAA Tournament history.
• Nelson's 13 field goals made is the fourth most in a game in the NCAA Tournament.
• Nelson's 15 rebounds is tied for the ninth most in a game in the NCAA Tournament.
• The Broncos have now won 19 west region titles in total, with four taking place before the NCAA added women's basketball in 1981-82.