WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

Jan.22, 2002

2001-02 CPP Record: 13-2. CCAA Record: 9-1

2001-02 National Ranking: 1 (USA Today/ESPN). 2001-02 Regional Ranking: 1

Back Home Again: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team will try to extend its 20-game home winning streak tonight at 6 p.m. when the Broncos entertain Cal State San Bernardino. The Broncos, the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, will face a Cal State San Bernardino team that is 9-6 overall and 5-5 in conference. The Broncos are currently one-half game behind idle Cal State Bakersfield in the CCAA standings. Cal State San Bernardino is tied for fifth with Cal State L.A. and Chico State.

Head To Head: Cal Poly Pomona holds a 16-5 edge over Cal State San Bernardino and swept both games last season. The Broncos won 55-35 in San Bernardino on Jan. 24 behind 20 points and nine rebounds from Aprile Powell (So., Santa Ana, Century HS) and prevailed again on Jan. 27, 66-58, in Kellogg Gym behind 15 points from LaTasha Burnett. Cal Poly Pomona has won seven straight games over the Coyotes.

About Last Week: The Broncos posted a pair of home victories last weekend to run their current winning streak to five. Cal Poly Pomona started strongly in both games, weathered some determined rallies by its opponents and finished well. The Broncos upended San Francisco State, 78-62, on Friday night, behind 18 points and nine rebounds from Player of the Year candidate Lauri McIntosh (Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS). Aprile Powell (So., Santa Ana, Century HS) added 13 points, while Burgundie Porter (Sr., San Dimas, San Dimas HS) and Anna James (Jr., Orangevale, Casa Roble HS) scored nine points each. The Broncos led by as many as 24 points in the first half, had the lead sliced to six points in the second half and then pulled away down the stretch. On Saturday, the Broncos got 19 points from Powell, 17 from James, 15 from McIntosh and 13 from Salma Rasheed (So., Walnut, Walnut HS) and beat Sonoma State, 89-78. The Broncos built a 15-point first-half lead, had it reduced to 46-40 at halftime, saw it whittled to four points in the second half and then pulled away once again down the stretch.

Cream Of The Crop: The Broncos have dominated the CCAA in the past two-plus seasons. Cal Poly Pomona was 20-2 in conference last year and 19-1 two years ago, which adds up to a 39-3 conference record. The 9-1 start gives the Broncos a 48-4 record in their last 52 conference games. Cal Poly Pomona won the 1999-2000 crown by a whopping five games over UC Davis and was three games better than Cal State Bakersfield last year. Over the past three-plus seasons, since the CCAA was expanded, the Broncos are a conference-best 64-8.

We’re No. 1: Cal Poly Pomona is the overwhelming choice to win its 18^th CCAA crown. In voting done by the conference coaches, the Broncos collected 11 first-place votes to easily outdistance No. 2 UC Davis. The Broncos are also ranked first in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches’ Poll and first in the latest regional poll.

The Thomas Guide: Paul Thomas is in his eighth season as Cal Poly Pomona’s head coach. He has a current record of 153-61 at Cal Poly Pomona. He picked up his 150^th career victory at Cal Poly Pomona on Jan. 11 when the Broncos defeated UC San Diego, 76-73, in La Jolla. Thomas has been named CCAA Coach of the Year three times and guided the Broncos into the postseason in five straight seasons. The Broncos have also won four CCAA titles during the Thomas years, including two straight, three in the past four years and four in the past five years.

Three Tremendous Years … And Counting: The last three-plus seasons have been especially impressive for the Broncos. After the wins over San Francisco State and Sonoma State, Cal Poly Pomona is now 89-14 during that time span, including a remarkable 64-8 mark in the CCAA. Their record at home is even more amazing. The Broncos are 46-2 at home in the last three-plus seasons and have won 20 consecutive games in Kellogg Gym.

McIntosh Is Marvelous: Lauri McIntosh (Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS), who was a Kodak All-American as a sophomore in 2000, is a Player of the Year candidate this season. McIntosh is second in the CCAA with a 24.0 points per game average and leads the conference in field-goal percentage by making 60.9 percent of her shots. In her most recent games, McIntosh had 18 points and nine rebounds against San Francisco State and 15 points with six rebounds against Sonoma State. McIntosh was the Most Outstanding Player of the CCAA/GNAC Classic in Kellogg Gym after scoring 30 points in a 76-71 win over Seattle Pacific on Dec. 28 and adding 25 points to lead the Broncos to a 85-65 win over Western Washington on Dec. 29. She was also named CCAA Player of the Week for the second time this season. McIntosh broke Cal Poly Pomona’s single-game scoring record on Dec. 9 when she poured in 46 points against Cal State Bakersfield. The old record of 44 was set by Niki Bracken in 1988. McIntosh also tied Bracken’s school record for most field goals in a game with 18. The 46 points also tied a CCAA record. McIntosh followed that up in her next game by tying a school and conference record after making all 11 of her field-goal attempts in a 99-66 win over Cal State L.A. She also equaled a career high with 16 rebounds in the season-opening win against Azusa Pacific. McIntosh is quickly moving up the Cal Poly Pomona career scoring list. After starting the season ninth on the list, McIntosh is now third with 1,796 points. Next up is Jessica Eggleston (1994-98), who is second with 2,038 points.

The Return Of Aprile: The Broncos got a much-needed boost when Aprile Powell returned to the lineup for the games at UC San Diego and Grand Canyon. Powell missed six games earlier this season after undergoing knee surgery and she also missed games at UC Davis and Chico State while completing university academic requirements. Powell has been in the starting lineup for the past three games. Powell had 13 points, four rebounds and two steals against San Francisco State on Friday and a team-high 19 points and four rebounds against Sonoma State. Powell has led the Broncos in scoring twice this season. She contributed 18 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes in the Broncos’ season opener against Azusa Pacific and then underwent surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus on Nov. 27. Powell returned for the CCAA/GNAC Classic and scored just one point in the Broncos’ 76-71 win over Seattle Pacific. She had 12 points, three rebounds and three steals the following night in a win over Western Washington. Powell completed one of the best freshman seasons in the program’s storied history last year. She was a Kodak All-American, the Most Outstanding Player in both the NCAA Division II West Region and Elite Eight Tournaments and led the Broncos in scoring (16.8 points per game) and rebounding (10.4 per game).

Dialing Long Distance: Anna James (Jr., Orangevale, Casa Robles HS) is already the most prolific 3-point shooter in Cal Poly Pomona history and keeps adding to her total. She leads the team this season and is second in the CCAA with 31, which brings her career total to 161. She connected on a season-high five 3-pointers (in six attempts) in a win over Chico State on Jan. 5. She also had four 3-pointers in a 99-66 win against Cal State L.A. on Dec. 14 and had four against West Florida on Nov. 30. She had three in the second half of the win over Sonoma State last Saturday. James has the best single-season total in Cal Poly Pomona history with 71 in 2000-01. She also nailed a clutch 3-pointer to open the overtime period in the Broncos’ 87-80 victory over North Dakota in the NCAA Division II championship game last season. James has been one of the most consistent scorers this season for the Broncos and is second on the team with a 13.0 points per game average. She also leads the Broncos in free throw shooting (50-64, 78.1 percent). James started the first 13 games of the season for the Broncos before coming down with the flu last week. She played 17 minutes against San Francisco State and 20 against Sonoma State.

Who’s New: The Broncos have welcomed five newcomers to the program, including two who played high school basketball locally. Christy Gardner (G, Ontario, Ontario HS) and Britt Sumida (G, Chino Hills, Ayala HS) are incoming freshmen to Cal Poly Pomona. Transfers Kiarra Drummond (F, Los Angeles, Univ. of Texas El Paso), Heather Reeder (G, Wenatche, Wa., University of Portland) and Leah Whatley (G, Suisun, Tarleton State) are also new to the program. A sixth player, Brandi Fletcher (Fr., Pomona, Diamond Ranch HS), is redshirting this season.

Program History: The Broncos’ fourth national championship in 2000-01 just added to the program’s rich women’s basketball history. Cal Poly Pomona has also reached the national title game seven times, has four national Player of the Year winners (Jackie White, 1983; Vickie Mitchell, 1986; Debra Larsen, 1987 and Cathy Gooden, 1989), four Most Outstanding Players in the NCAA Tournament (Jackie White, 1982; Vickie Mitchell, 1985; Debra Larsen, 1986; Aprile Powell, 2001), 29 All-American awards earned by 19 different players, 17 NCAA postseason appearances, 17 CCAA titles, 9 CCAA Player of the Year awards and 41 postseason victories.

A Little Of This, A Little Of That: To say Cal Poly Pomona has had to battle more than its fair share of injuries and illness would be an understatement. Nine players have started at least one game for the Broncos this season and only guard Leah Whatley (Sr., Suisun, Tartleton State) has started all 15 games this season. While winning the national championship last season, the Broncos had four players start all 30 games and one start 25. Burgundie Porter continues to shine for the Broncos, both offensively and defensively. Porter is fourth on the team in scoring (10.3 points per game) and leads the Broncos in steals (38, 2.5 per game). She is second in assists (43, 2.9 per game). Porter set a new career high earlier this season against Cal State Dominguez Hills with seven steals. She also had nine points and nine rebounds in the game. Porter, whose last-second shot beat Seattle Pacific in the NCAA Division II West Regional final, hit the go-ahead 3-pointer against the Falcons with 1:53 left in the Broncos’ 76-71 victory in the rematch in the CCAA/GNAC Classic. … Cal Poly Pomona entered last weekend’s games third in the nation in scoring (85.8 points per game) and ninth in 3-point field goals made per game (6.7). … In 15 games this season, Cal Poly Pomona has outrebounded its opponents, 632-541 … Lauri McIntosh leads the team with 111 rebounds (8.5 per game). … Cal Poly Pomona has forced 357 turnovers in its first 15 games and made 172 steals.

Coach’s Corner: (About last weekend’s games): “I think we got two very good wins. San Francisco State is a team that has a lot of talent and has all the ingredients to be a quality opponent. We came out and played a very good 16 minutes in the first half and then I think we kind of scoreboard-watched and settled into an effort mode that just wasn’t at a consistent high level. Against Sonoma, I think we moved forward in giving a concerted effort for 40 minutes. Yes, we had a few mental lapses and a few consecutive bad possessions, but I think we did a better job with our intensity and focus. That was a game we needed to win. That was another game we had to have against a team ranked in our region. I was really pleased. I thought we took a positive step forward Saturday night. I was encouraged after that game and after watching the tape. We’re starting to rebuild our foundation that was being crumbled and cracked because of injury and illness. After Saturday’s game, I think we have something to build on.”

(About Cal State San Bernardino): “They are like four or five other teams in our conference: they are good enough to beat you if you don’t come mentally ready to play.”

(About nearing the halfway point of the conference schedule): “At the halfway point, if we can finish 10-1, you would have to consider that successful since we played most of our games on the road and without a full lineup. We’ve already been on the Stanislaus/Bakersfield trip, the Davis/Chico trip, the Grand Canyon/San Diego trip and those are all tough trips. If you look at the big picture, being 13-2 right now and playing what I believe is a very difficult schedule without our full complement of players is very positive.”

(About two No. 1 teams playing in back-to-back games in Kellogg Gym): “I think that’s very exciting. I think both programs have worked extremely hard to get where they are. You have to work even harder to maintain it. To me, that part is even tougher.”

n Head Coach Paul Thomas

4 KIARRA DRUMMOND (F, Jr., Los Angeles, University Texas, El Paso)

Last Weekend: Had three points and one steal in three minutes against San Francisco State; had no points, one rebound and one steal in three minutes against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 2.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists. Had nine points and six rebounds in win at Cal State Stanislaus (12-8-01).

Season Highs: Points – 9 at CS Stanislaus (12-8-01); Rebounds – 8 vs. Cal State L.A. (12-14-01); Assists – 2 at CS Stanislaus (12-8-01).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

BRITT SUMIDA (G, Fr., Chino Hills, Ayala HS)

Last Weekend: DNP-CD.

2001-02: Averaging 0.8 points, 0.0 rebounds, 0.0 assists. Has appeared in five games and played a total of nine minutes.

Season Highs: Points – 2 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01), vs. Cal State L.A. (12-14-01).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

LEAH WHATLEY (G, Sr., Suisan, Tarleton State)

Last Weekend: Had no points, five rebounds and two assists against San Francisco State; scored eight points with three rebounds and three assists against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 7.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Leads Broncos with 48 assists.

Season Highs: Points – 17 vs. CS Dominguez Hills (12-15-01); Rebounds – 7 vs. Cal State L.A. (12-14-01); Assists – 6 at Chico State (1-5-02).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

SALMA RASHEED (F, So., Walnut, Walnut HS)

Last Weekend: Scored eight points with two rebounds and one assist against San Francisco State; had 13 points with four rebounds against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Has appeared in all 15 games this season and started three times.

Season Highs: Points – 15 at UC San Diego (1-11-02); Rebounds – 6 at UC San Diego (1-11-02), vs. Cal State L.A. (12-14-01). Assists – 2 at Chico State (1-5-02).

Career Highs: Points – 15 at UC San Diego (1-11-02), vs. UC San Diego (1-12-01); Rebounds – 8 vs. UC Davis (1-19-01), vs. CS San Bernardino (1-24-01); Assists – 2 at Chico State (1-5-02), at Grand Canyon (3-2-01).

BURGUNDIE PORTER (G, Sr., San Dimas, San Dimas HS)

Last Weekend: Had nine points, five rebounds, one assist and three steals against San Francisco State; had four points, three rebounds and one steal against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 10.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. Has reached double figures in seven of 15 games; had a career-high seven steals vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills (12-15-01).

Season Highs: Points – 21 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01); Rebounds – 10 vs. Seattle Pacific (12-28-01). Assists – 7 vs. West Florida (11-30-01).

Career Highs: Points – 23 vs. Chico State (2-11-00); Rebounds – 11 vs. CS Bakersfield (12-15-01). Assists – 7 vs. West Florida (11-30-01).

CHRISTY GARDNER (G, Fr., Ontario, Ontario HS):

Last Weekend: Went scoreless in one minute against San Francisco State; went scoreless with two rebounds and one steal in four minutes against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 1.8 points per game, 1.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Appeared in 15 games this season.

Season Highs: Points – 6 at CS Stanislaus (12-8-01); Rebounds – 5 at CS Bakersfield (12-9-01); Assists – 3 at CS Bakersfield (12-9-01).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

LAURI MCINTOSH (F, Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS):

Last Weekend: Scored 18 points with nine rebounds against San Francisco State; had 15 points, six rebounds and a career-high six assists against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Is second in the CCAA and second in the NCAA Division II in scoring with 24.0 points per game and is shooting a CCAA-best 60.9 percent. Also averaging team-best 8.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Set a new school record and tied CCAA record with 46 points in win at Cal State Bakersfield (12-9-01). Tied school and CCAA record by making all 11 shots against Cal State L.A. (12-14-01).

Season Highs: Points – 46 at CS Bakersfield (12-9-01)* New School and CCAA Record; Rebounds – 16 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01); Assists: 6 vs. Sonoma State (1-19-02).

Career Highs: Points – 46 at CS Bakersfield (12-09-01). Rebounds – 16 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01), vs. Sonoma State (1-8-99); Assists – 6 vs. Sonoma State (1-19-02).

ANNA JAMES (G, Jr., Orangevale, Casa Roble HS)

Last Weekend: Had nine points and two rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench against San Francisco State; scored 17 points with two rebounds in 20 minutes against Sonoma State. Didn’t start for the first time this season (illness).

2001-02: Averaging 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists per game. Is third on the team in scoring. Reached double figures in 11 of 15 games.

Season Highs: Points – 20 at Chico State (1-5-02), at CS Stanislaus (12-8-01); Rebounds – 6 at CS Bakersfield (12-9-01); Assists – 6 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01).

Career Highs: Points – 26 at Azusa Pacific (11-21-00); Rebounds – 12 at CS Dominguez Hills (1-6-01); Assists – 6 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01).

KIM KENNEDY (G, Sr., Walnut Creek, Carondelet HS)

Last Weekend: Had four points in 13 minutes against San Francisco State; had two points and two rebounds in 15 minutes against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 2.2 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Appeared in 14 of 15 games this season, averaging 16.3 minutes per game.

Season Highs: Points – 6 at CS Stanislaus; Rebounds – 2 (Three times, most recent vs. Western Washington 12-29-01). Assists – 3 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01), at Chico State (1-5-02), at Grand Canyon (1-12-02).

Career Highs: Points – 10 at San Francisco State (2-20-99); Rebounds – 6 vs. Grand Canyon (1-13-01); Assists – 8 at Tusculum College (11-27-99).

HEATHER REEDER (G, Jr., Wenatchee, WA, University of Portland)

Last Weekend: Scored six points with two rebounds and one steal in 14 minutes against San Francisco State; went scoreless in 12 minutes against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 2.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Has appeared in all 15 games this season.

Season Highs: Points - 9 vs. West Florida (11-30-01); Rebounds – 6 at CS Stanislaus (12-8-01); Assists: 2 (Three times, most recent vs. Western Washington, 12-29-01).

Career Highs: First season with Broncos.

MARISA LATTIN (F, So., Oceanside, El Camino HS)

Last Weekend: Went scoreless with one rebound in three minutes against San Francisco State; had five points and two rebounds in six minutes against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 2.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Appeared in all 15 games this season and started five times.

Season Highs: Points – 12 at UC Davis (1-4-02); Rebounds – 5 at North Dakota State (12-1-01), at UC Davis (1-4-02); Assists – 1 (Eight times, most recent at Grand Canyon (1-12-02).

Career Highs: Points – 12 at UC Davis (1-4-02); Rebounds – 8 vs. Sonoma State (2-18-00); Assists – 3 vs. Cal State L.A. (1-28-00).

MARGOT RICHARDS (G, Sr., Orangevale, Erskine College)

Last Weekend: Scored eight points with three rebounds and one assist in 18 minutes against San Francisco State; had six points and five rebounds in 22 minutes against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 6.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Appeared in all 15 games and started eight games.

Season Highs: Points – 12 at CS Stanislaus (12-8-01); Rebounds – 7 vs. West Florida (11-30-01); Assists – 2 (Five times, most recent at Grand Canyon (1-12-02).

Career Highs: Points – 16 at Azusa Pacific (11-21-00); Rebounds – 7 vs. West Florida (11-30-01); Assists – 2 (Nine times, most recent vs. Western Washington, 12-29-01).

APRILE POWELL (C, So., Santa Ana, Century HS)

Last Weekend: Scored 13 points with four rebounds against San Francisco State; had a team-high 19 points with four rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals against Sonoma State.

2001-02: Averaging 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. The returning All-American and Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player in 2000-01 has appeared in seven games this season and started the last three. Is second on the team in scoring.

Season Highs: Points – 20 at Grand Canyon (1-12-02); Rebounds – 13 at Grand Canyon (1-12-02); Assists – 2 at UC San Diego (1-11-02).

Career Highs: Points – 31 vs. Sonoma State (2-2-01); Rebounds – 18 vs. North Dakota (3-24-01); Assists – 2 (Six times, most recent at UC San Diego (1-11-02).