CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Feb. 27, 2002

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

 

2001-02 CPP Record: 21-4. CCAA Record: 17-3

2001-02 National Ranking: 2 (USA Today/ESPN). 2001-02 Regional Ranking: 1

 

Broncos Ready For A Fantastic Finish: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team will conclude its regular-season this weekend with plenty at stake. The Broncos will face Sonoma State on Friday night and San Francisco State on Saturday night with the CCAA title still up for grabs as well as the right to host the NCAA Division II West Regional. Cal Poly Pomona is tied with Cal State Bakersfield for first place in the conference and is still atop the West Region polls. Two victories this weekend will mean the Broncos will at least share an 18th CCAA title and host the regional. The pairings will be announced Sunday evening.

 

Head To Head: Cal Poly Pomona holds an 8-5 all-time edge over Sonoma State, including an 89-78 victory over the Cossacks in Kellogg Gym on Jan. 19. Aprile Powell (So., Santa Ana, Century HS)  led four Broncos in double figures with 19 points and four rebounds, while Anna James (Jr., Orangevale, Casa Roble HS) had 17 points, Lauri McIntosh (Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS) had 15 points and Salma Rasheed (So., Walnut, Walnut HS) added 13 points. Domenica Curran had 19 points to lead the Cossacks, while Tara Whiteside added 18. Sonoma State has been hot since that loss, winning eight of its last nine games. The Broncos split with Sonoma State last year, losing on the road, 84-73. Cal Poly Pomona has a 21-0 advantage over San Francisco State, including a 78-62 win in Kellogg Gym on Jan. 18. McIntosh led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Powell added 13.

 

About Last Week: The Broncos bounced back from its home loss to UC Davis with a pair of easy victories over Grand Canyon and UC San Diego. Cal Poly Pomona concluded the home portion of its regular-season schedule with a 12-2 mark. The Broncos opened the weekend with a 79-48 win over Grand Canyon. The Broncos led comfortably at halftime, 41-25, and steadily increased its advantage throughout the second half. Cal Poly Pomona shot 52.6 percent for the game and forced 26 turnovers. It was the second-lowest point total for a Bronco opponent this season. Aprile Powell (So., Santa Ana, Century HS) had 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way, while Lauri McIntosh (Sr., Diamond Bar, Diamond Bar HS) had 21 points and six rebounds. Cal Poly Pomona followed up that victory with a 96-57 rout of UC San Diego. The Broncos raced out to a 27-point halftime lead, 54-27, and extended their advantage from there. The Broncos forced 31 turnovers in the game. McIntosh led the Broncos with 32 points and four rebounds, while Burgundie Porter (Sr., San Dimas, San Dimas HS) had 19 points and four assists. Cal Poly Pomona recognized its five seniors – McIntosh, Porter, Kim Kennedy, Margot Richards and Leah Whatley – before the game.

 

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 17-3 start gives the Broncos a 56-6 record in their last 62 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 72-10.

 

We’re No. 1 (And No. 2): 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 remain No. 2 in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches’ Poll for the second straight week 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 161-63 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 97-16 during that time span, including a remarkable 72-10 mark in the CCAA. Their record at home is even more amazing. The Broncos are 51-4 at home in the last three-plus seasons and have won 25 of their last 27 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 is second in the CCAA and second in the nation in scoring with a 23.6 points per game average. She also leads the conference in field-goal percentage by making 58.5 percent of her shots. She has been named CCAA Player of the Week three times this season, most recently after scoring 26 points and grabbing 13 rebounds against Cal State Dominguez Hills and scoring 25 points with 12 rebounds against Cal State L.A. Last weekend, she scored 32 points in the win over UC San Diego, marking the fifth time this season she has scored 30 or more points. Earlier this season, 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 2,026 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 13 games. Powell is second in the CCAA with six double-doubles (double-digits in points and rebounds) and she has led the Broncos in rebounding eight times and scoring four times. She led the Broncos with a season-high 26 points last Friday in the win over Grand Canyon. She had a season-high 16 rebounds in a win at Cal State San Bernardino on Jan. 26. Powell 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 had 12 points, three rebounds and three steals in a win over Western Washington. She is second on the team in scoring (13.9 points per game) and second in rebounding (7.6 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 25 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 (10.9 points per game) and leads the Broncos in steals (52, 2.1 per game). She also leads the team in assists (83, 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 (83.4 points per game). … In 25 games this season, Cal Poly Pomona has outrebounded its opponents, 1047-901 … Lauri McIntosh leads the team with 185 rebounds (8.0 per game). … Cal Poly Pomona has forced 520 turnovers in its first 25 games and made 291 steals.

 

Coach’s Corner: (About last week): “The thing that was most pleasing was we had double-digit leads in both games and we took those leads and increased them. That was very pleasing. That’s something we always strive for. We’ve had a tendency of getting big leads and losing our focus, but this past weekend we kept our focus and executed the way we’re supposed to.”

(About the final regular-season home game for the seniors): “Any time you lose people of that quality, I think it’s definitely an emotional time for both players and coaches, especially because of what those three (four-year seniors Lauri McIntosh, Burgundie Porter and Kim Kennedy) mean to our program. They’ve won a lot of games while they’ve been here. Our record over the past four seasons says a lot about what they’ve accomplished here.”

(About the big games this weekend): “Obviously, Friday is the most important game because it’s Sonoma State and because of where they are ranked regionally. They are playing to be in the NCAA Tournament and we are playing to be the host. I don’t think it gets any simpler than that. They are going to be prepared and they are going to be motivated. Our team knows what’s at stake. We are playing to 1) have an opportunity to  share the conference title and 2) to host the regionals. We’re probably either going to be No. 1 or No. 3 in the region. Do you want to play three games or do you want to play two games (to win the regional?). I think our team will be motivated and I’m just as certain Sonoma State will be just as motivated if not more. It’s going to be fun. This is fun when it comes down to the last week. It keeps you focused. I do believe we are going to go out and play intense.”

 

n      Head Coach Paul Thomas

 

PLAYER NOTES

 

 

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

Last Weekend: DNP-CD in both games.

2001-02: Averaging 1.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. 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: Went scoreless with one rebound in four minutes against UC San Diego on Saturday; went scoreless in two minutes against Grand Canyon on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 0.8 point, 0.1 rebounds, 0.0 assists per game. Has appeared in eight games and played a total of 18 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); Rebounds – 1 vs. UC San Diego (2-23-02).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

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

Last Weekend: Had 10 points, three rebounds and two assists against UC San Diego on Saturday; had three points, three rebounds and four assists against Grand Canyon on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 6.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Is second on the team in assists with 81. Only Cal Poly Pomona player to start all 25 games.

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: Had seven points and a career-high nine rebounds against UC San Diego on Saturday; had seven points and five rebounds against Grand Canyon on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. Has appeared in all 25 games this season and started three times.

Season Highs: Points – 15 at UC San Diego (1-11-02); Rebounds – 9 vs. UC San Diego (2-23-02), 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 – 9 vs. UC San Diego (2-23-02); 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 19 points and four assists against UC San Diego on Saturday; had five points and four assists against Grand Canyon on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Has reached double figures in 14 of 25 games; had a career-high seven steals vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills (12-15-01). Leads the team in assists with 83.

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: Had five points and two rebounds in 16 minutes against UC San Diego on Saturday; went scoreless with two rebounds against Grand Canyon on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 1.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Appeared in 24 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: Poured in a game-high 32 points with four rebounds and four assists against UC San Diego on Saturday; had 21 points, six rebounds and a career-high eight steals against Grand Canyon on Friday.

2001-02: Is second in the CCAA and second in the NCAA Division II in scoring with 23.6 points per game and is shooting a CCAA-best 58.5 percent. Also averaging team-best 8.0 rebounds per game. Is third on the team in assists (54, 2.3 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 a season-high eight points, two rebounds and two assists on Saturday against UC San Diego; had no points and one rebound against Grand Canyon on Friday.

2001-02: Averaging 1.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Has appeared in 24 of 25 games this season, averaging 17.0 minutes per game.

Season Highs: Points – 8 vs. UC San Diego (2-23-02); 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: DNP-Injury. Suffered a concussion in practice and is out indefinitely.

2001-02: Averaging 3.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Has appeared in all 23 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 nine points and had four rebounds against Grand Canyon on Friday; had six points and two rebounds against UC San Diego on Saturday.

2001-02: Averaging 4.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Appeared in all 25 games this season and started six times.

Season Highs: Points – 13 Cal State L.A. (2-9-02); Rebounds – 7 vs. Chico State (2-15-02); Assists – 1 (10 times, most recent against UC Davis (2-16-02).

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: Had nine points and four rebounds against Grand Canyon on Friday; had one point and one rebound against UC San Diego on Saturday.

2001-02: Averaging 6.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Appeared in all 23 games and started 12 times.

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: Scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Grand Canyon on Friday; had eight points and six rebounds against UC San Diego on Saturday.

2001-02: Averaging 13.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The returning All-American and Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player in 2000-01 has appeared in 17 games this season and started the last 13. Is second on the team in scoring and rebounding.

Season Highs: Points – 26 vs. Grand Canyon (2-22-02); 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).