Broncos Run Away From Love And Basketball
POMONA – Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team needed one half to get the kinks out Saturday afternoon, but by the time the second half rolled around, the Broncos were off and running.
Cal Poly Pomona rolled up 49 second-half points and defeated Love And Basketball, 87-74, in an exhibition game Saturday in Kellogg Gym. The Broncos, the defending NCAA Division II champions, will open the regular-season next Saturday, Nov. 24, in Kellogg Gym against Azusa Pacific. The Broncos will unveil their national championship banner in a special ceremony beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Four Broncos scored in double-figures in the exhibition victory. Sophomore All-American Aprile Powell (C, Santa Ana, Century HS) scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the way. Newcomer Leah Whatley (G, Suisun, Tarleton State) added 13 points, while two-time All-American Lauri McIntosh (F, Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS) and Burgundie Porter (G, San Dimas, San Dimas HS) scored 10 points each.
Freshman Christy Gardner (G, Ontario, Ontario HS) added eight points off the bench and hit all three of her field-goal attempts.
Love And Basketball, an AAU team composed mainly of former Division I players, was led by Mary Apiafi’s 21 points. Apiafi went to San Diego State. Dee Braxton (Pepperdine) added 10 points.
Love And Basketball led 40-38 in a foul-plagued first half. The Broncos hit just 35 percent of their shots and were whistled for 21 fouls. Cal Poly Pomona heated up in the second half and shot 51 percent from the floor. A 3-pointer by Whatley early in the second half gave the Broncos the lead for good, 43-42. Whatley’s 3-pointer was followed by consecutive baskets by Powell and a three-point play by Porter and the Broncos began to pull away.