Toros Suffer Second Half Meltdown in Loss to Broncos Women
Defending NCAA II National Champion Cal Poly Pomona shuts down CS Dominguez Hills in second half
February 8, 2003

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.- Cal Poly Pomona overcame a 13 point deficit with 16 minutes left in the second half to post a 82-71 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills. The host Toros held a 35-32 lead at half time, but were outscored by the Broncos 50-36 in the second half.

CPP's Christy Gardner led all scorers with a game-high 22 points, with 17 of those coming in the decisive second half.

The Toros played with the NCAA Division II National Champions in the first half, as they shot a solid 52% from the field. Freshman guard Tameka Blue (Santa Cruz HS) put up seven of her team-high 21 points, shooting 75% from the floor.

The Toros also were strong on the boards as Delaney Turner (Santa Barbara CC) pulled down five rebounds.

In the first five minutes of the second half the Toros went on a 14-5 run, with 12 of those points scored by sophomore Octavia Askew (Birmingham HS). Askew was a perfect six of six during that span. After that run, CSUDH would enjoy their largest lead of the game of 13 six minutes into second half play.

But the Broncos would not go away. Their pressure style of defense forced 14 second half CSUDH turnovers. CPP would outscore CSUDH 22-11 and take the 64-63 lead off two free throws by Anna James. CPP's Brandi Fletcher scored six last minute points for the Broncos, including the final bucket of the game to put CPP up at the buzzer 82-71.

CPP had three players, Christy Gardner, Alicia Hernandez, and Shanika Perkins score in double-figures. Hernandez and Perkins poured in 12 and 10 points apiece respectively in the Broncos efforts.

CSUDH also had three players score in double-digits. In addition to Blue who finished with a team-high 21, which marks 15 of 18 games that the freshman has scored in double-figures, freshman Teresa Cooper (Simi Valley HS) dumped in ten while Askew capped off a solid night of play with 16.

The Toros fall to 6-12 overall and 4-10 in CCAA play. They return to action next weekend when they travel to Grand Canyon University. First tip in that contest is slated for 6:00 p.m.