LA MIRADA, Calif. – The Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball team defeated Biola on Thursday night by a score of 68-58, improving to 2-1 to open the season.
The team shot an impressive 49 percent from the field and 50 percent beyond the arc; both would've ranked third-best last season. Jeanette Fine, Sydney Nelson, and Kalaya Buggs each scored in double figures, Fine leading the way once again with 18 points. The trio combined for 18 of the team's 24 made field goals, while all of Breanne Ha's nine points came via the three.
The Broncos came out aggressive in the first quarter, scoring six of their points on fast breaks to hold the game close at 14-15. In the second quarter down 20-15 with 6:58 on the clock, the Broncos orchestrated an electric 12-2 run over the next two minutes of play, flipping the script and taking a five-point lead. This was thanks to three free throws, two layups, and two treys in that span, including a pivotal three from Ha to take the lead – which CPP would hold onto for the rest of the game. The Broncos went into halftime up 34-30.
Cal Poly Pomona continued to apply pressure coming out of the half, extending their lead to as high as 14 on a free throw from transfer Brielle Minor. At the conclusion of the third quarter, CPP still sat on top 52-43.
The team struggled to find their footing in the opening minutes of the fourth, allowing Biola to come back within five points. Once again, Breanne Ha hit a crucial three to give the team separation with 6:02 to go. Kalaya Buggs, who was named a WBCA All-America Honorable Mention last season, put the nail in the coffin with 0:26 on the clock, making her second three of the game to seal the win at 68-58.
Up Next
The Broncos will play on the road this Saturday, November 16th, at Hope International. The Broncos have only ever played Hope International once in 2015-16, winning 65-47.
Bronco Bits
- The Broncos are now 19-0 all-time against Biola dating back to their first season in 1974.
- Danelle Bishop is now 248-133 (.651) as head coach of the Broncos. Including her time as head coach at Azusa Pacific and California Baptist, Bishop is 386-218 (.639) all-time.
- This is the second straight year the team has been 2-1 to open the season, and fourth time with that record in the past six seasons.
- Record Watch – Breanne Ha needs just 40 more threes to pass Anna James (1999-03) for most three-point field goals made in school history (215).
Latest All Athletics News
- No. 23 Broncos Outlasted After Seven Rounds of Penalties in CCAA Final; Must Await NCAA Fate on MondayHAYWARD, Calif. - Second-seeded Cal Poly Pomona succumbed to top-seeded fellow regular-season co-champion Cal State Dominguez Hills following a penalty-kick tiebreaker, 6-5, in the title match of the 2024 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Soccer Tournament presented by FloCollege at host Cal State East Bay's Pioneer Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
- Broncos Win the CCAA TournamentThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos triumphed 2-0 over Cal State East Bay in the CCAA Conference Championship game, securing their first CCAA tournament title since 1999. With the win, the Broncos also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA West Regional Tournament, marking the 200th NCAA appearance in school history.
- Women’s Basketball Wins Third Straight, Defeat Hope International 75-52Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball cruised to a 75-52 victory at Hope International on Saturday afternoon, improving to 3-1 to start the season. This was just the second meeting all-time between the two teams, the Broncos winning both games on the road.
- Eagles Outscore the Broncos in Home OpenerThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos suffered a narrow 83-79 loss to the Biola Eagles in a hard-fought contest on Saturday. Despite a strong start and key contributions from several players, the Broncos couldn't hold off a late surge from the Eagles, who took control in the final moments.
- Volleyball Secures First Outright CCAA Title in Program History on Dahl’s 100th WinCal Poly Pomona volleyball head coach Traci Dahl collected her 100th win at CPP on Saturday afternoon, defeating San Francisco State by a score of 3-1. With the win, the No. 3 ranked Broncos break the program record for most CCAA wins in a season at 17, while also securing their first outright regular season title in program history.
- No. 23 Cal Poly Pomona Holds Off East Bay to Move Back Into CCAA Tournament Final on SundayHAYWARD, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona trotted out to a 3-0 advantage by halftime but was made to hang on in the end to eliminate Cal State East Bay, 3-2, in a semifinal match of the 2024 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Soccer Tournament presented by FloCollege on Friday evening at Pioneer Stadium.