MEDIA NOTES

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

Jan.16, 2002

2001-02 CPP Record: 11-2. CCAA Record: 7-1

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

Back Home Again: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team is back home again and will host its first two games in Kellogg Gym in 2002. The Broncos will entertain San Francisco State at 6 p.m. Friday and then meet Sonoma State at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Broncos are currently 7-1 in the CCAA, one-half game behind first-place Cal State Bakersfield. San Francisco State is 5-9 overall and 2-7 in conference, while Sonoma State is 11-3 overall and 7-2 in the CCAA.

Head To Head: Cal Poly Pomona holds a 20-0 all-time advantage over San Francisco State and swept two games last season. The Broncos beat the Gators, 79-67, on Dec. 8 in the conference opener last season in San Francisco. Aprile Powell (So., Santa Ana, Century HS) had 17 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. The Broncos won again in Kellogg Gym on Feb. 3, 103-77, behind Powell’s 23 points and six rebounds. Cal Poly Pomona has a 7-5 edge over Sonoma State and split a pair of games last season. The Broncos lost to the Cossacks, 84-73, on Dec. 9, although Powell had a strong game with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Cal Poly Pomona won the rematch in Kellogg Gym, 70-63, on Feb. 2 behind a season-high 31 points from Powell.

About Last Week: The Broncos struggled to a pair of road conference victories at UC San Diego and Grand Canyon. Cal Poly Pomona welcomed back Aprile Powell (So., Santa Ana, Century HS), but was without Player of the Year candidate Lauri McIntosh (Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS), who was not in uniform because of illness. Cal Poly Pomona had to rally from a 15-point first-half deficit and a late three-point hole to defeat UC San Diego, 76-73. Salma Rasheed (So., Walnut, Walnut HS), getting her first career start for Cal Poly Pomona, scored a team-high 15 points. Anna James (Jr., Orangevale, Casa Roble HS) had 13 points, including four free throws in the final 13 seconds that preserved the win. The Broncos won again at Grand Canyon, but the margin of victory was even slimmer. Cal Poly Pomona won, 57-56, scoring a season-low points in the process. Powell, in her first start of the season, scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the way. James added 13 points for the Broncos, who hurt themselves with a staggering 28 turnovers. Rasheed added eight points for the Broncos. A three-point play by James gave the Broncos a 55-44 lead with 5:53 to go, but Cal Poly Pomona went without a basket the rest of the way.

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 7-1 start gives the Broncos a 46-4 record in their last 50 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 62-8.

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. In the latest regional rankings, Cal Poly Pomona is also No. 1.

The Thomas Guide: Paul Thomas is in his eighth season as Cal Poly Pomona’s head coach. He has a current record of 151-61 at Cal Poly Pomona. He picked up his 150^th career victory at Cal Poly Pomona last Friday 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 UC San Diego and Grand Canyon, Cal Poly Pomona is now 87-14 during that time span, including a remarkable 62-8 mark in the CCAA. Their record at home is even more amazing. The Broncos are 44-2 at home in the last three-plus seasons and have won 18 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 the leading scorer in the NCAA Division II with a 25.4 points per game average and also leads the CCAA in field-goal percentage by making 64.4 percent of her shots. That percentage is ninth in the nation. In her most recent games, McIntosh was held to a season-low 11 points at UC Davis, but bounced back with a 29-point outburst at Chico 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 and adding 25 points to lead the Broncos to a 85-65 win over Western Washington. 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 fourth with 1,763 points. Next up is Carol Welch (1979-83), who is third with 1,783 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 had 13 points and 11 rebounds at UC San Diego last Friday and then, in her first start of the season, led the Broncos at Grand Canyon with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Powell 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. Powell 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 she keeps adding to her total. She leads the team this season and is second in the CCAA with 26, which brings her career total to 156. 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. 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 (39-50, 78.0 percent) and hit four key free throws in the final 13 seconds of the 76-73 win over UC San Diego last Friday.

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: Burgundie Porter continues to shine for the Broncos, both offensively and defensively. Porter is fourth on the team in scoring (10.8 points per game) and leads the Broncos in steals (34, 2.6 per game). She is second in assists (42, 3.2 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. … Salma Rasheed (So., Walnut, Walnut HS) got the first start of her career in the win at UC San Diego and responded with a team-high 15 points. … 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 13 games this season, Cal Poly Pomona has outrebounded its opponents, 554-465 … Lauri McIntosh leads the team with 96 rebounds (8.7 per game). … Cal Poly Pomona has forced 307 turnovers in its first 11 games and made 150 steals.

Coach’s Corner: (About moving back into the No. 1 spot in the national poll): “Our team and coaches are excited about earning back the No. 1 spot in the national poll. We accomplished this without our full complement of players (Aprile Powell and Lauri McIntosh have missed games). However, we feel as though we have a long way to go if we’re going to keep the No. 1 spot at the end of the year.”

(About last weekend’s games): “I’m sure all of us feel very fortunate we were able to secure two victories on the road. All our players and coaches understand that we did not put our best foot forward and we’re going to try to do better this weekend.”

(How much did the team miss Lauri McIntosh) “It’s been said over and over to them by all the coaches, it doesn’t matter who’s out there, you still play hard. We just did not play with a lot of intensity or enthusiasm or energy over the weekend. Obviously, Lauri brings those three things to the floor, but that’s no excuse. Other people had the opportunity to step up and show their teammates and the coaching staff they are capable of playing at this level.”

(About the difficult stretch of road games): “You look at our schedule and we had back-to-back road trips that were very difficult and very different trips. I think that does have a tendency to wear on you. There was no question in my mind that we were going to struggle in the first half against UC San Diego. When you don’t have No. 24 to throw the ball in to, that takes awhile to adjust. I just don’t think that should have lasted the entire weekend.”

(About the importance of this weekend’s games): “I think this weekend is very important and I really believe it’s a confidence thing. I don’t think our team has a lack of confidence, I would call it a shaken confidence. Part of that has to do with the lack of continuity we’ve had so far this season. We tell our team all the time to focus on the process. I don’t think we’re focusing on the process right now. It’s January and they want it to be March. I really do expect you’ll see a different team this weekend. I truly believe that. With Lauri out there and Aprile out there, we can finally get a rotation.

(About the team’s ability to win despite all the injuries and absences): “When you look at our last six games – Seattle Pacific, Western Washington, UC Davis, Chico State, UC San Diego and Grand Canyon – I think 5-1 is pretty darn good, especially when you consider we could have easily gone 4-2 or 3-3. This team has been without Lauri and been without Aprile. It will be nice to have everybody back on the floor.”

n Head Coach Paul Thomas

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

Last Weekend: Had no points, one rebound and two assists at UC San Diego; had no points and two rebounds at Grand Canyon.

2001-02: Averaging 2.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.5 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 six points, two rebounds and four assists at Grand Canyon; had 13 points, two rebounds and three assists at UC San Diego.

2001-02: Averaging 8.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Leads Broncos with 43 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: Tied a career-high with 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in her first career start for the Broncos at UC San Diego; had eight points and three rebounds at Grand Canyon.

2001-02: Averaging 6.2 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. Has appeared in all 13 games this season and started once.

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 six points, two rebounds and two assists at Grand Canyon; had seven points, three rebounds and three assists at UC San Diego.

2001-02: Averaging 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Has reached double figures in seven of 13 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: Made her only shot attempt and scored two points at UC San Diego; scored two points at Grand Canyon.

2001-02: Averaging 2.1 points per game, 1.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Appeared in 13 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: DNP (illness).

2001-02: Leads the NCAA Division II in scoring with 25.4 points per game and is shooting a CCAA-best 64.4 percent. Also averaging team-best 8.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Set new school 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: 3 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-24-01), vs. West Florida (11-30-01).

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 – 5 vs. Winona State (11-27-98).

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

Last Weekend: Had 13 points and three rebounds at Grand Canyon; had 11 points, including four key free throws late in win at UC San Diego.

2001-02: Averaging 13.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists per game. Is second on the team in scoring. Reached double figures in 10 of 13 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: Started for the first time this season at Grand Canyon and had no points, one rebound and one assist; had two points and three assists at UC San Diego.

2001-02: Averaging 2.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Appeared in 12 of 13 games this season, averaging 16.7 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: Went scoreless and had four rebounds in 14 minutes at UC San Diego; went scoreless in five minutes at Grand Canyon.

2001-02: Averaging 2.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Has appeared in all 13 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: Had four points and one rebound in 14 minutes at UC San Diego; had no points and one rebound in seven minutes at Grand Canyon.

2001-02: Averaging 2.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Appeared in all 13 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: Had nine points and two rebounds in 20 minutes at UC San Diego; had two points, two rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes at Grand Canyon.

2001-02: Averaging 5.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Appeared in all 13 games and started the last 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: Reached season highs with 20 points and 13 rebounds at Grand Canyon in her first start of the season; had 13 points and 11 rebounds at UC San Diego.

2001-02: Averaging 12.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. The returning All-American and Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player in 2000-01 has appeared in five games this season.

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).