BOX SCORE

POMONA, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team shook off a very sluggish start to complete its sweep of the rugged Humboldt–Pomona roadtrip with a 64–54 win over Cal Poly Pomona Saturday night in Kellogg Gym.

The win lifts CSUMB's record to 17–4 overall and 14–4 in the CCAA. Thanks to Sonoma State's 61–51 upset of Cal State L.A. in Los Angeles Saturday night, the Otters can finish in no worse than a three–way tie for third place, with the tie–breakers assuring CSUMB of a top four finish.

Four Otters finished the night in double figures, led by senior guard Stefanie Corgel (Manhattan Beach/UCSB), whose four second half three–pointers propelled her to a game–high 15 points. Senior forward Brittani Jefferson (Palmdale/Antelope Valley JC) matched her career high with 13 rebounds and added 11 points for her sixth double–double of the season.

“This was a huge win for our team. Once again we showed great poise and resiliency to be able to come back and finish games,” said CSUMB Head Coach Renee Jimenez. “I though our kids did a fantastic job of not only executing our game plan, but being able to make the necessary adjustments we needed to make to win the game.  Our staff couldn't be more happy for them and their big win.”

The game didn't start off like gang busters for the Otters, who had as many shot clock violations (3) as field goal attempts by the first media timeout. Cal Poly took full advantage, racing to a 14–2 lead before the Otter offense found its rhythm.

CSUMB whittled away at the Bronco lead, finally cutting it to one point at intermission on a Holly Holcomb (Ventura/Buena HS) buzzer–beating layup. Another Holcomb layup gave the Otters their first lead at 26-25 to open the second half.

Pomona came back to take its final lead with the next basket, but a Jefferson layup and a Corgel three–pointer started an 11–2 run that put CSUMB on top 37–29. 

The Otters took their biggest lead at 44–32 with 9:16 remaining before Cal Poly made its last–gasp charge. It took the Broncos just over three minutes to put together a 12–0 run to tie the game at 44–44. But Nicole Beckman (Dublin/Ohlone College) followed with a pair of free throws and Ashley Morgan (Rohnert Park/Santa Rosa College) knocked down a three from the corner to stem the tide and give the Otters a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

CSUMB will conclude its four–game roadtrip with a next weekend starting Friday night at Cal State San Bernardino. Looming Saturday night, Feb. 24, is a showdown at CCAA co–leader UC San Diego.