CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Feb. 13, 2002

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

 

2001-02 CPP Record: 18-3. CCAA Record: 14-2

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

 

A Big Weekend Ahead: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team will try to begin a new home winning streak this weekend, although the Broncos are well aware that it will not be easy. The Broncos will face perennial powers Chico State and UC Davis in Kellogg Gym. Cal Poly Pomona had a 22-game home winning streak snapped by Cal State Bakersfield on Feb. 2. The Broncos will host Chico State on Friday night at 6 p.m. and entertain UC Davis, which handed them one of their two conference losses this year, on Saturday night at 6 p.m.

 

Head To Head: Cal Poly Pomona holds a 9-4 all-time edge over Chico State, including a 92-83 victory in Chico on Jan. 5. Lauri McIntosh (Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS) poured in a game-high 29 points to lead the way, while Anna James (Jr., Orangevale, Casa Roble HS) added 20 points. Leah Whatley (Sr., Suisun, Tartleton State) had 15 points, Burgundie Porter (Sr., San Dimas, San Dimas HS) and Salma Rasheed (So., Walnut, Walnut HS) both had 12 points and the Broncos had five players score in double figures. It was the first win in Chico for the Broncos since Dec. 12, 1991. The Broncos have a 15-10 edge over UC Davis, but dropped a 72-70 decision in Davis on Jan. 4. Porter led the Broncos with 13 points, while Marisa Lattin (So., Oceanside, El Camino HS) had 12. The Broncos trailed by as many as 11 points, battled back to briefly take the lead, and then watched the Aggies pull out the win down the stretch.

 

About Last Week: The Broncos bounced back from their loss to Cal State Bakersfield and the season-ending injury to Anna James (Jr., Orangevale, Casa Roble HS) with a pair of road victories. The Broncos have now won 10 of their last 11 games. Cal Poly Pomona started the weekend with an 83-62 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills last Friday. The win was its 11th straight over the Toros. The Broncos took a 39-36 halftime lead on a late 3-pointer by Marisa Lattin (So., Oceanside, El Camino HS) and then pulled away in the second half. Cal Poly Pomona outscored Cal State Dominguez Hills, 44-26, in the second half. Lauri McIntosh (Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS) had 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Broncos, while Aprile Powell (So., Santa Ana, Century HS) had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Cal Poly Pomona led from start to finish the next night against the Golden Eagles and rolled to a 97-74 win. The Broncos led by as many as 19 points in the first half before settling for a 49-37 halftime lead. For the second straight game, Lattin hit a 3-pointer as the first half was winding to a close. The Broncos built their lead to 24 points midway through the second half and then cruised from there. McIntosh paced the Broncos once again with 25 points and 12 rebounds, leading five other players in double figures. Burgundie Porter (Sr., San Dimas, San Dimas HS) had 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, Margot Richards (Sr., Orangevale, Erskine College), Powell and Lattin had 13 points each and Salma Rasheed (So., Walnut, Walnut HS) had 12 points.

 

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 14-2 start gives the Broncos a 53-5 record in their last 58 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 69-9.

 

We’re No. 1: Cal Poly Pomona is the overwhelming choice to win its 18th CCAA crown. In preseason voting done by the conference coaches, the Broncos collected 11 first-place votes to easily outdistance No. 2 UC Davis. The Broncos are back at No. 1 in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches’ Poll after a one-week stay at No. 3 and Cal Poly Pomona also remains 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 158-62 at Cal Poly Pomona. He picked up his 150th 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. Cal Poly Pomona is now 94-15 during that time span, including a remarkable 69-9 mark in the CCAA. Their record at home is even more amazing. The Broncos are 48-3 at home in the last three-plus seasons and have won 22 of their last 23 games at home.

 

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 was just named the CCAA Player of the Week for the third time this season after her impressive performances against Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A. last weekend. McIntosh is second in the CCAA and second in the NCAA Division II with a 23.3 points per game average. She also leads the conference in field-goal percentage by making 56.9 percent of her shots. 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 an 85-65 win over Western Washington on Dec. 29. 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 points 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. She just set a new career high with seven assists at Cal State L.A. on Feb. 9. 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 1,926 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 (So., Santa Ana, Century HS) returned to the lineup after missing six games following knee surgery and two more games while completing university academic requirements. Powell, a Kodak All-American last year as a freshman, has been in the starting lineup for the past nine games. Powell had her most productive game of the season at Cal State San Bernardino on Jan. 26 when she set new season highs for points (23) and rebounds (16). Earlier that week, Powell had 18 points, six rebounds and a career-high seven steals against the Coyotes. Powell has led the Broncos in scoring three times this season. She contributed 18 points and seven rebounds in 24 minutes in the Broncos’ season opener against Azusa Pacific on Nov. 24 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. She is second on the team in scoring (14.2 points per game) and second in rebounding (7.9 per game). 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).

 

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 21 games. On their way to winning the national championship last season, the Broncos had four players start all 30 games and one start 25. … The most serious injury was a season-ending knee injury to Anna James (Jr., Orangevale, Casa Roble HS). James, the Broncos’ all-time leader in 3-pointers, was third on the team in scoring (11.5 points per game). …  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 (45, 2.1 per game). She leads the team in assists (69, 3.3 per game). Porter set a new career high earlier this season against Cal State Dominguez Hills with seven steals. 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 leads the CCAA and is second in the nation in scoring (83.8 points per game). … In 21 games this season, Cal Poly Pomona has outrebounded its opponents, 894-755 … Lauri McIntosh leads the team with 163 rebounds (8.6 per game). … Cal Poly Pomona has forced 506 turnovers in its first 21 games and made 240 steals.

 

Coach’s Corner: (About last week): “I thought we took a step in the right direction. Obviously, after losing one of our starters, I thought we responded well. I think Marisa (Lattin) did a very good job of filling part of that void and so did Margot (Richards) and Salma (Rasheed). Margot, Salma and Marisa did a real good job of stepping up for us. I think it’s very difficult to play at Dominguez Hills and after kind of a slow start, I thought we got back on track a little bit and did a pretty decent job. I thought we rebounded the ball exceptionally well against them, especially in the second half. Against Cal State L.A., we started the game off really well. We’re at the point right now where we’re building on our consistency. I don’t think we’re quite there yet, but we’re getting there. Out of eight possessions, you can’t have four good ones and four turnovers and that’s kind of what we fell into at times against Cal State L.A. I think we also had times where we had six out of eight very good possessions and then played good defense five or six times out of eight and that’s when you get those 12-2 and 16-2 runs.”

(About how the team responded to the loss to Bakersfield and the season-ending injury to Anna James): “I really feel that’s what this team is like. I was very confident they were going to respond like that after the loss. This team has a lot of pride in that regard. We need to extend that pride now into each and every possession and play with great intensity and play Cal Poly Pomona basketball. We are starting to get to the point where we’re understanding who we need to get the ball to and at what time. One of the things we discovered over the weekend is we’re definitely going to get No. 34 (Lattin) the ball with our last possession of the half so she can hit a 3-pointer. (Lattin hit 3-pointers at the end of the half against both Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A.)

(About this weekend): “Both of these games are high on the rivalry scale. It’s important for us to make our team understand that. I think they enjoy playing against Chico and having that kind of a rivalry. Davis, obviously, they beat us up there and gave us one of our conference losses. There’s no looking ahead. We’re in the same situation we were in last year. Any loss will put us on the road in regionals unless someone helps us out and we don’t want that.”

(About the tight conference race): “I think that says something about our conference. Hopefully, that’s a positive for our conference. Anything can happen. There are some huge games this weekend.”

 

n      Head Coach Paul Thomas

 

PLAYER NOTES

 

 

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

Last Weekend: Went scoreless with one assist at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday; DNP-CD at Cal State L.A. on Saturday.

2001-02: Averaging 1.8 points, 1.9 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 in both games.

2001-02: Averaging 1.0 point, 0.0 rebounds, 0.0 assists. Has appeared in five games and played a total of nine minutes.

Season Highs: Points – 2 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (1-23-02), vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01), vs. Cal State L.A. (12-14-01).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

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

Last Weekend: Had three points and a season-high eight assists at Cal State L.A. on Saturday; had no points and two assists at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Is second on the team in assists with 68.

Season Highs: Points – 17 vs. CS Dominguez Hills (12-15-01); Rebounds – 7 vs. Cal State L.A. (12-14-01); Assists – 8 at Cal State L.A. (2-9-02).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

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

Last Weekend: Scored 12 points at Cal State L.A. on Saturday; had two points and one rebound at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Has appeared in all 21 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 14 points, four rebounds and four assists at Cal State L.A. on Saturday; had 13 points, four rebounds and six assists at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Has reached double figures in 11 of 21 games; had a career-high seven steals vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills (12-15-01). Leads the team in assists with 69.

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: Scored two points and hit her only shot at Cal State L.A. on Saturday; went scoreless in six minutes at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 1.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Appeared in 18 games this season.

Season Highs: Points – 6 vs. CS Stanislaus (2-1-02), 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: Earned CCAA Player of the Week honors for a third time this season. Had 25 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high seven assists at Cal State L.A. on Saturday; had 26 points and 13 rebounds at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

2001-02: Is second in the CCAA and second in the NCAA Division II in scoring with 23.3 points per game and is shooting a CCAA-best 56.9 percent. Also averaging team-best 8.6 rebounds per game. Set a new school record and tied CCAA mark 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: 7 at Cal State L.A. (2-9-02)

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 – 7 at Cal State L.A. (2-9-02)

 

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

Last Weekend: DNP – out for the season with a knee injury suffered against Cal State Bakersfield (2-2-02).

2001-02: Averaged 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game. Was third on the team in scoring. Reached double figures in 12 of 19 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 three points and two assists at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday; had no points and two assists at Cal State L.A. on Saturday.

2001-02: Averaging 1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Has appeared in 20 of 21 games this season, averaging 16.4 minutes per game.

Season Highs: Points – 6 at CS Stanislaus; Rebounds – 5 vs. CS Bakersfield (2-2-02). Assists – 4 at Cal State San Bernardino (1-26-02).

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: Had eight points and four rebounds at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday; had two points and one rebound at Cal State L.A. on Saturday.

2001-02: Averaging 3.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Has appeared in all 21 games this season.

Season Highs: Points - 13 at Cal State San Bernardino (1-26-02); 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: Scored a career-high 13 points and had two rebounds and two steals at Cal State L.A. on Saturday; had 10 points and five rebounds at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 3.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Appeared in all 21 games this season and started five times.

Season Highs: Points – 13 Cal State L.A. (2-9-02); Rebounds – 5 at North Dakota State (12-1-01), at UC Davis (1-4-02), at Cal State Dominguez Hills (2-8-02); Assists – 1 (Eight times, most recent at Grand Canyon (1-12-02).

Career Highs: Points – 13 at Cal State L.A. (2-9-02); 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: Started in both games and had 13 points and two rebounds at Cal State L.A. on Saturday and four points and three rebounds at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Appeared in all 21 games and started 10 games.

Season Highs: Points – 14 against CS Bakersfield (2-2-02); 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: Had 17 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high three assists at Cal State Dominguez Hills on Friday; had 13 points, five rebounds and a career-high tying three assists at Cal State L.A. on Saturday.

2001-02: Averaging 14.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The returning All-American and Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player in 2000-01 has appeared in 13 games this season and started the last nine. Is second on the team in scoring and rebounding.

Season Highs: Points – 23 at CS San Bernardino (1-26-02); Rebounds – 16 at CS San Bernardino (1-26-02); Assists – 3 at Cal State L.A. (2-9-02), at Cal State Dominguez Hills (2-8-02).

Career Highs: Points – 31 vs. Sonoma State (2-2-01); Rebounds – 18 vs. North Dakota (3-24-01); Assists – 3 at Cal State L.A. (2-9-02), at Cal State Dominguez Hills (2-8-02).