March 5, 2011
Box Score
HAYWARD, Calif. – The No. 19 Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball made its first appearance in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament Finals, falling to the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona, 59-53, on Saturday night.
Senior #London Houchin# was the only Otters to score double-digits with 14 points. Sophomore #Jessica Fontenette# posted eight points and dished out a team-high four assists. Sophomore #Holly Holcomb# finished with seven points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists.
The Otters entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed after winning the program's first regular season conference title with a conference record of 24-2.
As the nation's top ranked defense, the Otters held Pomona to 17.9 percent shooting from the field to take a 28-20 lead at the break.
To begin the second half, the Broncos came out ready to battle and knotted the score at 30-30.
After Pomona's Megan Ford converted an old-fashion 3-point play, Houchin hit a clutch trey to make it 37-37 with 14 minutes remaining. Layups by senior #Michelle Santizo# and junior #Shonetta Crain-Williams# put the Otters up 41-37. Pomona's Sarah Semenero connected on a 3-pointer from the baseline to cut the gap back to one point. After a Bronco free throw, Houchin sunk another three as the 30-second clock trickled to zero.
The Broncos went on a 6-0 run only to see the score evened at 47-47 on Houchin's third and final 3-pointer of the game with seven minutes remaining. Pomona's Reyna Colson and Heurung traded layups to keep the score even. After back-to-back layups by Ford put the Broncos up by four, Holcomb drove to the basket to make it 55-53 Pomona with 3:26 on the clock.
The Otters were held scoreless as Pomona converted a layup and two free throws to clinch the championship.
Ford finished with a game-high 29 points on top of eight rebounds. Colson finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
The Broncos took advantage of their trips to the free throw line, making 17-of-23. The Otters made six of their nine attempts at the charity stripe. CSUMB lost the battle of the board, 38-34.
2011 CCAA All-Tournament Team
#Julie Heurung# (Cal State Monterey Bay)
#London Houchin# (Cal State Monterey Bay)
Eisha Sheppard (Cal State San Bernardino)
Reyana Colson (Cal Poly Pomona)
Megan Ford (Cal Poly Pomona)
Most Outstanding Player: Megan Ford (Cal Poly Pomona)
