# 1 Cal Poly Pomona outlasts Chico State, 88-81
POMONA¾ Playing at Kellogg Gym for
the first time since a rare home defeat, the Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball
team got back on track.
The Broncos, the defending NCAA Division II champs and No. 1
ranked team in the country, outlasted a tough Chico State team, 88-81, Friday
night in Kellogg Gym. Cal Poly Pomona (19-3, 15-2) won for the 23rd
time in its last 24 games and won for the 54th time in its last 59
conference games.
Lauri McIntosh, who came into the weekend as the nation’s
second-leading scorer, poured in 33 points to lead the Broncos. McIntosh, who
also leads the CCAA in field-goal percentage, made 14 of her 22 field-goal
attempts. She also had six rebounds and five assists.
Burgundie Porter had 18 points for the Broncos, while Aprile
Powell added 11 points and seven rebounds.
Kim Abts scored 15 points to go along with five rebounds and
five assists for the Wildcats (13-9, 8-9).
The Broncos struggled early and trailed, 16-10, five minutes
into the game. Cal Poly Pomona faced its biggest deficit at seven points,
28-21, before going on a 13-6 run to get even. A layup by Porter gave the
Broncos a 40-38 advantage late in the first half and Cal Poly Pomona led the rest
of the way.
It was hardly easy, though. The Broncos led 44-40 at halftime
and extended their lead to 15 points, 63-48, after a rebound basket by McIntosh
with 12:38 left. The Broncos then had to weather a spirited Chico State rally
that cut the lead to two points, 81-79, with 1:59 to go.
A layup by McIntosh upped the lead to 83-79, but a free throw
by Maija Panttaja cut it to 83-80 with 1:28 left. Porter made one free throw
with 1:09 to go and Panttaja countered with one free throw to make it 84-81 with
58 seconds left. Marisa Lattin then made two clutch free throws with 41 seconds
remaining to extend the lead to 86-81 and all but end Chico State’s hopes.
Lattin made two more free throws in the waning seconds to seal the victory.
The Broncos shot 47.8 percent from the floor and forced 25
turnovers. The Broncos held a 39-37 edge on the boards.