CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

 

2003-04 CPP Record: 8-3. 2003-04 CCAA Record: 4-2

 

Broncos Set For Northern Californian Showdown: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball program, which has won two NCAA Division II championships in the past three years, will face one of the three California Collegiate Athletic Association leaders this weekend to kick off an important conference road trip. The Broncos will be at Sonoma State, which shares the CCAA lead with Cal State Bakersfield and Grand Canyon, on Friday and San Francisco State on Saturday in their second consecutive CCAA trip. The Broncos split their excursion to UC San Diego and Grand Canyon last weekend. The Broncos will return home on Friday, Jan. 23 to meet Cal State L.A. and Saturday, Jan. 24 to face Cal State Dominguez Hills. Cal Poly Pomona is tied with North Dakota State for most national championships won in Division II (5) and for most postseason wins (46) in Division II. The Broncos have three starters returning from last year’s team, including second-team All-CCAA forward Brandi Fletcher (So., Pomona, Diamond Ranch HS), four-year standout Marisa Lattin (Sr., Oceanside, El Camino HS) and second-year guard Tami Swanson-Cades (Sr., Nevada City, Sierra College). Seven players in all return from last year’s squad.

 

About Last Week: Cal Poly Pomona had to settle for a weekend split when the Broncos held off a late rally by UC San Diego on Friday, but fell to an inspired Grand Canyon squad on Saturday. The win enabled the Antelopes to hang on to a share of first place in the CCAA while dropping the Broncos out of first. Cal Poly Pomona started the weekend by beating UC San Diego, 84-81, in a game the Broncos led virtually from start to finish. The game was tied once, at 2-2, and the Broncos led the rest of the way. Cal Poly Pomona, though, had to survive some anxious moments down the stretch as the Tritons cut a 14-point lead down to just two points on several occasions. Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona) had 28 points and five rebounds, while Keila Beachem (Sr., Chicago, Ill., University of Kansas) had her best game as a Bronco with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Marisa Lattin (Sr., Oceanside, El Camino HS) had 14 points and nine rebounds. The Broncos weren’t as successful on Saturday night and fell to a vastly-improved Grand Canyon squad, 84-74. The Antelopes shot 56 percent for the game, while the Broncos made only 37 percent of their shots. Cal Poly Pomona also committed 28 turnovers. Allen and Beachem scored 19 points each for the Broncos, while Shanika Perkins (So., Oakland, Oakland HS) had 16 points and four rebounds and Lattin had 11 points and two rebounds.

 

Head To Head: Cal Poly Pomona is 11-5 all-time against Sonoma State and swept both games from the Seawolves last season. The Broncos won the first meeting on Jan. 24 in Kellogg Gym, 65-62, behind 17 points from Brandi Fletcher (So., Pomona, Diamond Ranch HS). The Broncos also won in Rohnert Park on March 1, 53-52, on a game-winning shot by Fletcher, who also set a career high with 25 points.  Cal Poly Pomona is 24-0 all-time against San Francisco State, including a pair of victories last season. The Broncos won, 88-66, on Jan. 25 in Kellogg Gym behind 24 points from Alicia Hernandez and then beat the Gators, 75-64, on Feb. 28 in San Francisco behind 17 points from Fletcher.

 

Let Us Introduce Ourselves: Cal Poly Pomona has several new players on its roster, including a pair of student-athletes from Division I programs. The Broncos welcome local high-school star Candice Allen (G, Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona), who played at Ayala High School and Keila Beachem (F, Sr., Chicago, Ill., University of Kansas), who started nine games for the Jayhawks last season. Khiara Ferguson (Fr., Gardena, Bishop Montgomery HS) is a top freshman newcomer.

 

The Amazing Candice Allen: First-year player Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona) has quickly established herself as an All-America candidate. Allen is the leading scorer in the NCAA Division II with a 27.1 points per game average. She has scored more than 30 points three times and has scored 20 or more points in 10 of the Broncos’ 11 games. She scored a season-high 40 points against UC Davis on Jan. 3 that helped earn her CCAA Player of the Week honors for the third time this season. She opened the season with a 35-point outburst in an 86-74 win over Abilene Christian and she also had 32 points in a 79-78 loss to Seattle Pacific on Dec. 20. She was named the MVP of the third annual CCAA-GNAC Classic.

 

Broncos Picked To Finish Second In CCAA: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball program, which has won a record 18 California Collegiate Athletic Association championships, has been picked to finish second in the conference this season in voting by the conference coaches. Chico State, which finished second last season and has three starters returning, has been tabbed as the conference favorite. Defending conference champion Cal State Bakersfield was picked third and Cal State Stanislaus is fourth.

 

Where We Left Off: The Broncos lost its final two road games at Cal State Stanislaus and Cal State Bakersfield and finished the 2002-03 season with a 13-14 overall record. It was only the second time in the program’s history that Cal Poly Pomona had a non-winning record. The Broncos were unsuccessful in their bid for a first-ever third consecutive NCAA Division II championship. When Cal Poly Pomona won national titles in 2000-01 and 2001-02, it marked the second time in the program’s history that the Broncos had won back-to-back championships. Previously, Cal Poly Pomona had won consecutive titles in 1985 and 1986. The Broncos also saw their three-year reign atop the California Collegiate Athletic Association come to an end with a sixth-place finish. The Broncos, who have won 18 CCAA titles, had won five titles in the previous six years.

 

The Thomas Guide: Paul Thomas is in his 10th season as Cal Poly Pomona’s head coach. Thomas was named the 2001-02 NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by the WBCA and by the Division II Bulletin. He was also the WBCA District 8 Coach of the Year and the CCAA Co-Coach of the Year. He has won four conference Coach of the Year awards. Thomas has a record of 189-80 at Cal Poly Pomona and has guided the Broncos into the postseason in six out of the past seven seasons. The Broncos have also won five CCAA titles during the Thomas years, including three in the past four seasons.

 

How About Those Rings: You’d be hard-pressed to find a more star-studded coaching staff in the NCAA Division II than the one at Cal Poly Pomona. Head Coach Paul Thomas has a pair of championship rings he earned while guiding the Broncos to back-to-back national titles in 2001 and 2002. He was named the 2001-02 NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by the Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Association and the Division II Bulletin. Assistant coach Heather Jacobsen has a pair of national championship rings she earned while part of the coaching staff in 2001 and 2002. Jacobsen also played for the Broncos and was a three-sport standout in high school, competing in basketball, volleyball and track and field. Assistant coach Tasha Burnett has a championship ring she earned as a Bronco player in 2001. She tied an NCAA record by hitting all 11 of her field-goal attempts in a national quarterfinal victory over Pace University. She made the All-Elite Eight Tournament team. And the newest assistant coach, Lauri McIntosh, has a pair of championship rings she won while playing for the Broncos. McIntosh finished her career after the 2002 title run and is completing her degree at Cal Poly Pomona. She was the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in 2002 and finished her career as the No. 2 scorer in Cal Poly Pomona history with 2,176 points.

 

Program History: The Broncos’ back-to-back national championships in 2001 and 2002 have just added to the program’s rich women’s basketball history. The Broncos are tied with North Dakota State for the most postseason victories (46) in NCAA Division II and most national championships (5).  Their 18 NCAA postseason appearances are second overall to Bentley and the .780 postseason winning percentage is second to North Dakota State’s .804. Cal Poly Pomona has also reached the national title game eight times, has five national Player of the Year winners (Jackie White, 1983; Vickie Mitchell, 1986; Debra Larsen, 1987; Cathy Gooden, 1989 and Lauri McIntosh, 2002), five Most Outstanding Players in the NCAA Tournament (Jackie White, 1982; Vickie Mitchell, 1985; Debra Larsen, 1986; Aprile Powell, 2001; Lauri McIntosh, 2002), 35 All-America awards earned by 20 different players, 18 CCAA titles and 9 CCAA Player of the Year awards. Counting the five SCCA titles the Broncos won before joining the CCAA, Cal Poly Pomona has captured 23 conference titles.

 

 

PLAYER NOTES

 

4          CANDICE ALLEN (G, Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona)

Last Week: Had 28 points and five rebounds against UC San Diego on Friday; had 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals against Grand Canyon on Saturday.

2003-04: Averaging 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. Leads the team in scoring, rebounding and steals and is third in assists. Leads the NCAA Division II in scoring.

Season Highs: Points – 40 vs. UC Davis (1-3-04); Rebounds – 11 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-22-03); Assists – 5 vs. Western Washington (12-19-03), Abilene Christian (11-21-03).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

5          BRITT SUMIDA (G, Jr., Chino Hills, Ayala HS)

Last Week: DNP-CD and is sidelined indefinitely with an injured foot.

2003-04: Averaging 3.1 points, 0.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Hit go-ahead 3-pointer in second half in win over Azusa Pacific and hit a career-high three 3-pointers in win over Pt. Loma Nazarene.

Season Highs: Points – 11 vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Rebounds – 2 vs. Western Washington (12-19-03), vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Assists – 2 vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03).

Career Highs: Points – 11 vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Rebounds – 3 vs. UC San Diego (2-21-03), Assists – 3 vs. UC San Diego (2-21-03), at UC San Diego (1-18-03).

 

14        LEANNE JENKINS (G, Fr., Selma, Selma HS)

Last Week: DNP-CD. Will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

2003-04: Averaging 5.5 points, 1.0 rebound and 1.0 assist per game.

Season Highs: Points – 6 vs. Abilene Christian (11-21-03); Rebounds – 2 vs. Abilene Christian (11-21-03); Assists – 1 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-22-03), vs. Abilene Christian (11-21-03).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

21        JAIDA WILLIAMS (F, Sr. Opalocka, Fla., Barry University)

Last Week: Had two points, three rebounds and one assist against UC San Diego on Friday; had one point and one rebound against Grand Canyon on Saturday.

2003-04: Averaging 3.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Has started six times for the Broncos.

Season Highs: Points – 8 vs. Seattle Pacific (12-20-03); Rebounds – 6 vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Assists – 3 vs. Abilene Christian (11-21-03).

Career Highs: Points – 10 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-7-02); Rebounds – 9 at Azusa Pacific (11-23-02); Assists – 3 vs. Abilene Christian (11-21-03).

 

22        KHIARA FERGUSON (C, Fr., Gardena, Bishop Montgomery HS)

Last Week: Went scoreless with one rebound and one assist against UC San Diego on Friday; went scoreless against Grand Canyon on Saturday.

2003-04: Averaging 1.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. Made her Cal Poly Pomona debut against Abilene Christian on Nov. 22.

Season Highs: Points – 6 vs. Chico State (1-2-04); Rebounds – 5 vs. Seattle Pacific (12-20-03); Assists – 1 at UC San Diego (1-9-04).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

23        KEILA BEACHEM (F, Sr., Chicago, Ill., University of Kansas)

Last Week: Had a season-high 26 points and 11 rebounds against UC San Diego on Friday; had 19 points and 12 rebounds against Grand Canyon on Saturday.

2003-04: Averaging 12.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Is second on the team in scoring and second in rebounding. Leads the team in blocked shots with eight.

Season Highs: Points – 26 at UC San Diego (1-9-04); Rebounds – 12 at Grand Canyon (1-10-04); Assists – 2 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-13-03), at Cal State San Bernardino (12-2-03), vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03), vs. Abilene Christian (11-21-03)

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

           

24        BRANDI FLETCHER (F, So., Pomona, Diamond Ranch HS)

Last Week: Had five points and seven rebounds against UC San Diego on Friday; had two points and two assists against Grand Canyon on Saturday.

2003-04: Averaging 9.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Is third on the team in scoring and fourth in rebounding. Leads the team in free-throw percentage with 42 makes in 51 tries (.824).

Season Highs: Points – 24 vs. UC Davis (1-3-04); Rebounds – 10 vs. UC Davis (1-3-04); Assists – 3 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-13-03), vs. Azusa Pacific (11-22-03).

Career Highs: Points – 25 at Sonoma State (3-1-03); Rebounds – 10 vs. UC Davis (1-3-04), at Cal State L.A. (2-7-03); Assists – 3 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-13-03), vs. Azusa Pacific (11-22-03), vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-7-02).

 

25        RACHEL GATDULA (G, Fr., Covina, St. Lucy’s Priory HS)

Last Week: Had two points, two rebounds and two assists against Grand Canyon on Saturday; DNP-CD against UC San Diego on Friday.

2003-04: Averaging 1.4 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. Made her Cal Poly Pomona debut against Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03).

Season Highs: Points – 5 vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Rebounds – 2 at Grand Canyon (1-10-04), vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03). Assists – 2 at Grand Canyon (1-10-04).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos

 

32        TAMI SWANSON-CADES (G, Sr., Nevada City, Sierra College)

Last Week: Had five points and four assists against UC San Diego on Friday; had four points, two rebounds and one assist against Grand Canyon on Saturday.

2003-04: Averaging 5.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Is sixth on the team in scoring and leads the team in assists.

Season Highs: Points – 10 at Cal State San Bernardino (12-2-03); Rebounds – 7 vs. UC Davis (1-3-04); Assists – 6 vs. UC Davis (1-3-04), vs. Seattle Pacific (12-20-03).

Career Highs: Points – 18 vs. Westminster College (12-21-02); Rebounds – 10 vs. Cal State Bakersfield (1-31-03); Assists – 8 vs. Chico State (2-15-03).

 

34        MARISA LATTIN (F, Sr., Oceanside, El Camino HS)

Last Week: Had 14 points and nine rebounds against UC San Diego on Friday; had 11 points and two rebounds against Grand Canyon on Saturday.

2003-04: Averaging 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Is fourth on the team in scoring and third in rebounding

Season Highs: Points – 36 vs. Chico State (1-2-04); Rebounds – 10 vs. Western Washington (12-19-03); Assists – 3 vs. UC Davis (1-3-04).

Career Highs: Points – 38 vs. UC Davis (2-14-03);  Rebounds – 13 vs. UC Davis (2-14-03); Assists – 3 vs. UC Davis (1-3-04), vs. UC San Diego (2-21-03), at Cal State San Bernardino (2-14-02), at San Francisco State (3-02-02) vs. Cal State L.A. (1-28-00).

 

40        SHANIKA PERKINS (G, So., Oakland, Oakland HS)

Last Week: Had 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and five steals against Grand Canyon on Saturday; had two points, two rebounds and three assists against UC San Diego on Friday.

2003-04: Averaging 8.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Is fifth on the team in scoring, second in assists and second in steals.

Season Highs: Points – 17 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-13-03); Rebounds – 6 vs. Azusa Pacific (11-22-03); Assists – 5 vs. Chico State (1-2-04).

Career Highs: Points – 17 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-13-03); Rebounds – 7 vs. Westminster College (12-21-02); Assists – 5 vs. Chico State (1-2-04).

 

42        GE’YANNI POLK (G, Fr., San Leandro, San Lorenzo HS)

Last Week: Went scoreless against Grand Canyon on Saturday; DNP-CD against UC San Diego on Friday.

2003-04: Averaging 0.3 points, 0.2 rebounds, 0.0 assists per game. Made her Cal Poly Pomona debut against Azusa Pacific on Nov. 22.

Season Highs: Points – 2 vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Rebounds – 1 vs. Chico State (1-2-04).

Career Highs: First year with Bronco.

 

54        ALEXIS WILSON (F, So., Wayzata, MN, Wayzata HS)

Last Week: Had two points, one rebound and a career-high three assists against UC San Diego on Friday; went scoreless against Grand Canyon on Saturday.

2003-04: Averaging 2.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 6 vs. Chico State (1-2-04), vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Rebounds – 3 vs. Abilene Christian (11-21-03); Assists – 3 at UC San Diego (1-9-04).

Career Highs: Points – 6 vs. Chico State (1-2-04), vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Rebounds – 4 at Western Washington (12-28-02); Assists – 3 at UC San Diego (1-9-04).

 

 

 

2003-04 CCAA STANDINGS (1-13-04)

CCAA                                                    Overall

                                                W            L             Pct.                         W            L             Pct.

CS Bakersfield              5          1          .833                  9          2          .818

Sonoma State               5          1          .833                  8          3          .727

Grand Canyon               5          1          .833                  8          3          .727

Cal Poly Pomona          4          2          .667                  8          3          .727

UC Davis                      3          3          .500                  8          4          .667

Chico State                   3          3          .500                  7          4          .636

UC San Diego               3          3          .500                  7          4          .636

CS Dominguez Hills      2          4          .333                  6          5          .545

San Francisco State      2          4          .333                  6          5          .545

CS Stanislaus                2          4          .333                  5          6          .455

CS San Bernardino        2          4          .333                  5          6          .455

Cal State L.A.                0          6          .000                  1          10         .091