CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2005

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

MEDIA NOTES

 

2004-05 CPP Record: 13-4. CCAA Record: 8-2

2004-05 National Ranking: 19

2004-05 Regional Ranking: 7

 

Broncos Try To Keep Momentum Going In Big Weekend Trip: After sweeping two more California Collegiate Athletic Association games last week to run its win streak to five, Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s basketball team will play a pair of key California Collegiate Athletic Association contests away from home. The Broncos will be at San Francisco State on Friday and at Sonoma State on Saturday to conclude a stretch that saw them play eight of 10 conference games on the road. The Broncos are currently locked in a three-way tie with Cal State Dominguez Hills and Chico State for the conference lead. After this weekend’s trip, the Broncos will return home for “Bring Back The Pack” night in Kellogg Gym on Friday, Feb. 11 against conference rival Cal State Bakersfield. All Cal Poly Pomona students, faculty and staff will be admitted free and are invited to a free  tailgate party outside the gym beginning at 4:30 p.m. There will be free pizza, a live disc jockey and drinks. There will also be free giveaways during the game as well as live performances by the Cal Poly Pomona cheer squad, the Bronco Pep Band and other dance performances during halftimes. Cal Poly Pomona is coming off another outstanding season. The Broncos reached the NCAA Division II West Region championship game at Seattle Pacific and became the only Division II program to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth time in the past five years. Cal Poly Pomona also posted playoff wins over Chico State and Cal State Bakersfield, giving the Broncos 48 postseason wins, which is the most among all Division II programs. Cal Poly Pomona remains tied with North Dakota State for most national championships won (5). The Broncos won back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002. The Broncos have three starters returning, including Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona), the 2004 CCAA Player of the Year and the leading scorer in the NCAA Division II. Other starters back are Brandi Fletcher (Jr., Pomona, Diamond Ranch HS), a second-team All-CCAA forward in 2003, and Shanika Perkins (Jr., Oakland, Oakland HS).

 

About Last Week: The Broncos moved into a first-place tie atop the California Collegiate Athletic Association after wins at Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Monterey Bay. The Broncos opened the week with a thrilling 85-78 double-overtime win over Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday in Carson. The Broncos watched a 15-point second-half lead slip away, but finally got the important victory after two overtime periods. Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona) had a game-high 38 points and 12 rebounds while playing 49 of a possible 50 minutes. Shyrah Thomas (Sr., Inglewood, San Francisco State) had 10 points, including a tiebreaking 3-pointer to open the second overtime period that put the Broncos ahead for good. The Broncos led, 30-21, at halftime and extended their lead to 38-23. The Toros scored the next 16 points, though, and led by as many as four points, 63-59, with 2:59 left in regulation. A layup by Fletcher, a 3-pointer by Allen and a layup by Allen put the Broncos ahead, 66-63, but the Toros hit a 3-pointer in the final minute  to send the game into overtime. In the first overtime, Allen hit a shot with 23 seconds remaining to extend the game. Cal Poly Pomona then defeated Cal State Monterey Bay, 85-72, Saturday in Seaside. Allen had another big game, recording 32 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and five steals in 33 minutes. Natasha Reed (Fr., San Francisco, Deer Valley HS) had a career-high 16 points to go along with nine rebounds, while Fletcher had 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals. Unique Anderson (Fr., Lake Elsinore, Temescal Canyon HS) made her first career start for the Broncos and had six points, two rebounds and two steals.

 

Allen Earns CCAA Player Of The Week Honors For Third Time: Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona) has been named the Wilson California Collegiate Athletic Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Jan. 24-30. Allen led the Broncos to a pair of wins at Cal State Dominguez Hills that lifted Cal Poly Pomona into a three-way tie for first in the conference. Allen poured in 38 points and had 12 rebounds to lead the Broncos past Cal State Dominguez Hills, 85-78, in double overtime and then added 32 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists against Cal State Monterey Bay. For the week, she averaged 35.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game. It was the third time this season Allen has been awarded the weekly conference honor. She was the Co-Player of the Week for the week of Dec. 6-12. Allen set a new Cal Poly Pomona and California Collegiate Athletic Association record by scoring 50 points to lead the Broncos past No. 9 Glenville State and also had 32 points to lead the Broncos past Northwest Nazarene. For the week, Allen averaged 41.0 points per game on 54.7 percent shooting. She also averaged 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 steals. She shared the honor with Chico State guard Kim Abts, who tied a conference record with 16 assists. Allen was also honored for the week of Nov. 29 – Dec. 5. Allen scored 30 points in a 104-85 win over Sonoma State and then added 31 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 93-61 victory over San Francisco State. For the week, Allen averaged 30.5 points per game on 57.5 percent shooting (23-40). She also averaged 4.5 points, 4.0 steals and 2.5 assists for the week.

 

Allen Leading NCAA In Scoring Once Again: Kodak All-American Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona), the reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year, is playing sensationally again in the 2004-05 season. After leading the nation in scoring last season by averaging 24.5 points per game, Allen is leading the NCAA Division II in scoring again this year at 29.5 points per game. Allen is shooting 46.8 percent from the field (168-359) and has knocked down 49 percent of her 3-point attempts (32-65). She has also made 134 of 161 free-throw tries. She leads the CCAA in 3-point field-goal percentage (49.2 percent) and is second in steals (3.12).

 

Head To Head: Cal Poly Pomona is 26-1 all-time against San Francisco State, including a 93-61 victory over the Gators in Kellogg Gym on Dec. 4. Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona) had 31 points in 27 minutes to lead the Broncos in that one. San Francisco State picked up its first victory ever against the Broncos last season in San Francisco. Cal Poly Pomona had won the first 24 meetings between the two programs. Cal Poly Pomona is 14-5 all-time against Sonoma State, including a 104-85 win over the Seawolves in Kellogg Gym on Dec. 3. Allen had 30 points, while Lauren Stayton (Jr., Inglewood, Fresno State) and Brandi Fletcher (Jr., Pomona, Diamond Ranch HS) had 16 points each. The Broncos have won the last eight meetings between the two programs.

 

Let Us Introduce Ourselves: Cal Poly Pomona has several new players on its roster, including six freshmen. Sahfiya Brown (Fr., Fontana, Etiwanda HS), Ashley Moody (Fr., Carson, King Drew HS), Unique Anderson (Fr., Lake Elsinore, Temescal Canyon HS), Sasha Goldkorn (Fr., Moreno Valley, Canyon Springs HS), Porsche’ Kirksey (Fr., Gardena, Junipero Serra HS) and Natasha Reed (Fr., San Francisco, Deer Valley HS) give the Broncos one of their best and deepest freshman classes in several years. Shyrah Thomas (Sr., Inglewood, San Francisco State) joins the active roster after being a redshirt last season and Lauren Stayton (Jr., Inglewood, Fresno State) returns after one year away from competition.

 

Look Who’s Back: Leading the list of talented players returning for the Broncos is the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year, Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona). Allen led the NCAA Division II in scoring with a 24.5 points per game average. She was also second on the team in rebounding with 6.1 per game and second in assists with 2.9 per game. Allen also led the team in steals with 77 or 2.6 per game. Brandi Fletcher (Jr., Pomona, Diamond Ranch HS), who was third on the team in scoring last year with 10.2 points per game, is back and so is starting guard Shanika Perkins (Jr., Oakland, Oakland HS), who averaged 6.7 points per game. Britt Sumida (Sr., Chino Hills, Ayala HS), one of the leaders of the team, is another key returner, Alexis Wilson (Jr., Wayzata, MN, Wayzata HS) is back for her third year and Khiara Ferguson (So., Gardena, Bishop Montgomery HS) and Ge’Yanni Polk (So., San Leandro, San Lorenzo HS) return for their second seasons with the Broncos.

 

Where We Left Off: The Broncos completed another successful season in 2003-04 with a 23-7 overall record and a spot in the NCAA Division II West Region championship game. Cal Poly Pomona reached the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth time in the past five seasons, a total unmatched by any other Division II program. Included in that run, of course, are national championships in 2001 and 2002. Cal Poly Pomona was 17-5 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and finished second. The Broncos, the No. 3 seed in the West Region, won its first-round game against No. 6 Chico State, 74-70. Cal Poly Pomona got 30 points and six assists from Candice Allen (Sr., Ontario, University of Arizona) and 10 points and 17 rebounds from Keila Beachem (Sr., Chicago, Ill., University of Kansas). The Broncos then rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to beat Cal State Bakersfield, 87-84, in the second round. Beachem had a huge game with 28 points and 20 rebounds, while Allen contributed 26 points. After the Roadrunners took an 84-83 lead on a pair of free throws with five seconds left, Allen was inexplicably fouled while trying to catch an inbounds pass. She hit both free throws to give the Broncos an 85-84 lead and then, after a Cal State Bakersfield turnover, was fouled hard from behind, but picked herself up to hit two more free throws with one second left to account for the final margin. Cal Poly Pomona then fell to undefeated tourney host Seattle Pacific, 80-63, in the championship game. The Broncos shot just 33 percent. Marisa Lattin capped her Cal Poly Pomona career with a team-high 20 points.

 

The Thomas Guide: Paul Thomas is in his 11th 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 217-88 at Cal Poly Pomona and has guided the Broncos into the postseason in seven out of the past eight seasons. Cal Poly Pomona has a 14-5 record in the NCAA Division II playoffs under Thomas and has won 12 of its last 13 postseason games. The Broncos have also won five CCAA titles during the Thomas years, including three in the past five seasons.

 

How About Those Rings: You’d be hard-pressed to find a more star-studded coaching staff in the NCAA Division II. 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 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.

 

Program History: The Broncos’ two postseason wins in 2004 and the back-to-back national championships in 2001 and 2002 have just added to the program’s rich history. The Broncos have the most postseason victories (48) in NCAA Division II and are tied with North Dakota State for the most national championships (5).  The Broncos have also reached the regional championship game in four of the past five years, which is more than any other Division II team. Their 19 NCAA postseason appearances are second overall to Bentley and the .774 postseason winning percentage leads all Division II programs. 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), 36 All-American awards earned by 20 different players, 18 CCAA titles and 10 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

 

2          SAHFIYA BROWN (F, Fr., Fontana, Etiwanda HS)

Last Week: DNP-CD. Is sidelined for the year with a knee injury.

2004-05: Averaging 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.0 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 7 vs. St. Thomas (11-20-04); Rebounds – 4 vs. Sonoma State (12-3-04). Assists – None.

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

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

Last Week: Had 38 points, 12 rebounds and five assists against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday; had 32 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and five steals against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday.

2004-05: Averaging 29.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Leads the NCAA Division II in scoring. Shooting 46.8 percent from the floor. Set new Cal Poly Pomona and CCAA single-game record with 50 points against Glenville State on Dec. 11. Tied CCAA single-game record for most free throws made (20) and attempted (23) against Cal State Stanislaus on Jan. 15. Also leads the team in assists and steals and is second in rebounding. Leads the conference in scoring, 3-point field goal percentage and steals. Has recorded three straight double-doubles.

Season Highs: Points – 50 vs. Glenville State (12-11-04); Rebounds – 15 vs. UC San Diego (1-22-05); Assists – 7 at Cal State Monterey Bay (1-29-05).

Career Highs: Points – 50 vs. Glenville State (12-11-04); Rebounds – 15 vs. UC San Diego (1-22-05); Assists – 7 at Cal State Monterey Bay (1-29-05), at Cal State Bakersfield (1-30-04), vs. Cal State Stanislaus (2-6-04).

 

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

Last Week: Had three points and two steals against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday; had three points and one rebound against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

2004-05: Averaging 2.5 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Is second on the team in assists and tied for third on the team in three point field goals made.

Season Highs: Points – 8 at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04); Rebounds – 3 vs. Glenville State (12-11-04); Assists – 5 at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04).

Career Highs: Points – 11 vs. Pt. Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Rebounds – 3 vs. Glenville State (12-11-04), vs. UC San Diego (2-21-03); Assists – 5 at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04).

 

10        ASHLEY MOODY (G, Fr., Carson, King Drew HS)

Last Week: Had two points, two rebounds and two assists Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday; had two points, one rebound and one assist against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

2004-05: Averaging 2.5 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 7 vs. San Francisco State (12-3-04); Rebounds – 5 at Cal State Stanislaus (1-15-05); Assists – 2 at Cal State Monterey Bay (1-29-05), vs. UC San Diego (1-22-05), vs. Grand Canyon (12-14-04).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

14        NATASHA REED (F, Fr., San Francisco, Deer Valley HS)

Last Week: Had a season-high 16 points, nine rebounds and two steals against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday; had three points, one rebounds and one assist against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

2004-05: Averaging 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Leads the team in rebounding and is fourth in scoring.

Season Highs: Points – 16 at Cal State Monterey Bay (1-29-05); Rebounds – 11 at Cal State Bakersfield (1-08-05); Assists – 3 vs. Sonoma State (12-3-04).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

           

20        SHANIKA PERKINS (G, Jr., Oakland, Oakland HS)

Last Week: Had four points, seven rebounds and three assists against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday; had three points, three rebounds and three assists against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday.

2004-05: Averaging 6.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Is second on the team in 3-point field goals made (21), third in assists and fifth in scoring.

Season Highs: Points – 15 at Cal State Bakersfield (1-8-05); Rebounds – 7 Cal State Bakersfield (1-08-05); Assists – 5 vs. Grand Canyon (12-14-04).

Career Highs: Points – 17 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (12-13-03); Rebounds – 10 at Cal State Dominguez Hills (2-13-04); Assists – 5 vs. Grand Canyon (12-14-04), vs. Chico State (1-2-04).

 

21        SASHA GOLDKORN (G, Fr., Moreno Valley, Canyon Springs HS)

Last Week: Had one assist in limited action against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday, DNP-CD against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

2004-05: Averaging 1.0 points, 0.4 rebounds and 0.0 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 3 vs. Grand Canyon (12-14-04); Rebounds – 1 vs. Grand Canyon (12-14-04), vs. San Francisco State (12-4-04); Assists – None.

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

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

Last Week: Had seven points and six rebounds against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday; DNP-CD against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday.

2004-05: Averaging 3.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 10 vs. Ca State San Bernardino (1-21-05); Rebounds – 7 vs. Glenville State (12-11-04); Assists – 1 vs. San Francisco State (12-4-04).

Career Highs: Points – 10 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (1-21-05); Rebounds – 7 vs. Glenville State (12-11-04); Assists – 1 vs. San Francisco State (12-4-04), at UC San Diego (1-9-04).

 

23        SHYRAH THOMAS (F, Sr., Inglewood, San Francisco State)

Last Week: Had a season-high 10 points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday; had three points with four rebounds against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday.

2004-05: Averaging 2.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 10 at Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-26-05); Rebounds – 6 at Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-26-05); Assists – 2 at Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-26-05), Cal State Bakersfield (1-08-05).

            Career Highs: First year with Broncos

 

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

Last Week: Had 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday; had nine points, a career-high 11 rebounds and three assists against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

2004-05: Averaging 10.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 assist per game. Is second on the team in scoring and third in rebounding.

Season Highs: Points – 18 vs. UC San Diego (1-22-05); Rebounds – 11 at Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-26-05) Assists – 3 at Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-26-05), Cal State Monterey Bay (1-29-05).

Career Highs: Points – 25 at Sonoma State (3-1-03); Rebounds – 11 at Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-26-05); Assists – 4 vs. Cal State Stanislaus (2-6-04).

 

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

Last Week: Went scoreless against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday; DNP-CD against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

            2004-05: Averaging 0.5 point and 0.3 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 2 at Cal State Bakersfield (1-08-05); Rebounds – 0; Assists – 1 at Cal State Bakersfield (1-08-05).

            Career Highs: Points – 5 vs. Point Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Rebounds – 2 at

Cal State Stanislaus (1-31-04), at San Francisco State (1-17-04), at Sonoma State (1-16-04), at Grand Canyon (1-10-04), vs. Point Loma Nazarene (11-29-03); Assists – 2 vs. Grand Canyon (3-5-04), at Grand Canyon (1-10-04).

 

32        LAUREN STAYTON (G, Jr., Inglewood, Fresno State)

Last Week: Had six points, six rebounds and one steal against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday; had three points, three rebounds and one steals against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday.

2004-05: Averaging 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Is third on the team in scoring, fourth in rebounding, and fourth in assists.

Season Highs: Points – 21 at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04); Rebounds – 7 at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04); Assists – 5 vs. Sonoma State (12-3-04).

Career Highs: Points – 21 at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04); Rebounds – 7 at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04); Assists – 5 vs. Sonoma State (12-3-04).

 

34        PORSCHE’ KIRKSEY (F, Fr., Gardena, Junipero Serra HS)

Last Week: DNP-CD.

2004-05: Averaging 2.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.0 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 5 vs. Western Washington (12-29-04), vs. Sonoma State (12-4-04); Rebounds – 7 vs. Sonoma State (12-3-04); Assists – None.

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

40        UNIQUE ANDERSON (G, Fr., Lake Elsinore, Temescal Canyon HS)

Last Week: Had six points, two rebounds and two steals in her first career start against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday; had two rebounds in limited action against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

2004-05: Averaging 2.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 8 at Cal State L.A. (1-07-05); Rebounds – 6 at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04); Assists – 2 vs. Western Washington (12-29-04), vs. San Francisco State (12-4-04), at Azusa Pacific (11-19-04).

Career Highs: First year with Broncos.

 

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

Last Week: Had one point in limited action against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday; DNP-CD against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

2004-05: Averaging 0.9 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 4 vs. St. Thomas (11-20-04); Rebounds – 2 vs. St. Thomas (11-20-04); Assists – 1 vs. St. Thomas (11-20-04).

Career Highs: Points – 4 vs. St. Thomas (11-20-04); Rebounds – 2 vs. St. Thomas (11-20-04), at Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-24-04); Assists – 1 vs. St. Thomas (11-20-04).

 

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

Last Week: Had five points and four rebounds against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday; had two points, two rebounds and one assist against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Wednesday.

2004-05: Averaging 2.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game.

Season Highs: Points – 10 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (1-21-05); Rebounds – 4 at Cal State Monterey Bay (1-29-05), Cal State Bakersfield (1-08-05), at Cal State L.A. (1-07-05), vs. Grand Canyon (12-14-04); Assists – 1 at Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-26-05), Azusa Pacific (11-19-04).

Career Highs: Points – 10 vs. Cal State San Bernardino (1-21-05); Rebounds – 4 at Cal State Monterey Bay (1-29-05), Cal State Bakersfield (1-08-05), at Cal State L.A. (1-07-05), vs. Grand Canyon (12-14-04), vs. San Francisco State (2-20-04), at Sonoma State (1-16-04), at Western Washington (12-28-02); Assists – 3 at UC San Diego (1-9-04).