Broncos Move on to CCAA Semifinals

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The Cal Poly Pomona Broncos put forth an effort Tuesday night that was a historic one. The men's basketball team held their opponent to a CCAA Tournament record-low score, capping off their 20th victory of the season with a 57-44 win over San Francisco State in the opening round of the CCAA Tournament at Kellogg Gym.

The regular-season tri-champions, who are the top seed in the tournament, move on to face Cal State Monterey Bay at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6, at Cal State San Bernardino's Coussoulis Arena. The Broncos are 20-6 overall and earned their fifth 20-win season in coach Greg Kamansky's nine years at the helm and only their eighth in history.

“This team keeps moving on and we know the run could end at any time,” Kamansky said. “We keep playing in the moment. It's a matter of digging in there and keep doing the things that have been successful.”

The Broncos came out on fire in the first half and held the visiting Gators to just two points in the opening 10 minutes. They built their largest lead at 30-8 with 2:24 remaining in first half on senior Larry Gordon's layup and took a 32-14 halftime lead.

CPP held SFSU to just 5-of-25 from the floor and 3-of-their first 22 shots.

Gordon finished with a game-high of 19 points and 12 rebounds. It marked his ninth double-double of the season and his 30th in his career. Freshman Dwayne Fells also reached double figures with 10 points and five rebounds. Sophomore Tobias Jahn scored eight points (4-of-5 FGs) and 10 rebounds.

But the Gators, who finished the season 14-14, weren't about to quit. After Fells extended the Broncos' lead to 43-27 with 13:11 remaining, the Gators went to work. They outscored Cal Poly Pomona 15-5 over the next nine minutes and cut the Broncos' lead to 48-42 with 4:44.

SFSU couldn't cut the lead any lower than six. A free throw from Fells, layup from Gordon and a pair of free throws from both Fells and senior Walter Thompson over the next three minutes pushed the Broncos ahead 55-44 with 53 seconds left.

“SFSU is a dangerous club,” Kamansky said. “In the first half, we took it to them and it saved us. They're always in the game, and they are so well-coached. This is a good win for us.”