BOX SCORE

POMONA, Calif. — The No. 4 Cal Poly Pomona men's basketball team used a strong start and a strong finish to clinch at least a share of the CCAA regular season title with a 74–49 win over Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday night in Kellogg Gym.

Pomona (21–1, 17–1 CCAA) opened the game with a 20–2 run. Playing against the nation's top defensive unit — the Broncos allowed just 54.9 points per game entering play Saturday — it looked like it was going to be over early.

But give the Otters more than their share of credit for shaking off that start to make the Broncos work for the win.

Senior forward Derrick Anderson (Pittsburg HS) scored six points as the Otters answered with a 20–8 run of their own to pull to within six points at 28–22 early in the second half. The Otters were still within 10 at 44–34 with 10 minutes remaining when the Broncos turned on the afterburners, going on a 19–4 run to take a 63–38 lead and put the game on ice.

Senior guard Brandon Ward (Riverside/Woodcrest HS) led all scorers with 17 points for CSUMB. Junior forward Julian Ball (Citrus Heights/Sierra College) grabbed a season–high 12 rebounds to help the Otters win the battle of the boards, 44–39.

CSUMB will conclude its four–game roadtrip by traveling to face Cal State San Bernardino and UC San Diego Feb. 22–23. The Otters will return home to close the 2012–13 season with games against Cal State Stanislaus (Feb. 28) and Chico State (Mar. 1).