POMONA, Calif--- The SF State Gators fell 47-39 in a defensive struggle to the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (9-5, 7-3 CCAA) this evening at Kellogg Gymnasium in Pomona, Calif. This was the Broncos sixth straight win as they moved into a three-way tie for second place. The Gators, who shot 30% from the field, fall into sixth place, were led by Lauren Varney's 11 points.
 
“It was a tough game for us on the second night of a very difficult road trip,” said SF State head coach Dr. Joaquin Wallace.  “We have to do a better job of closing out the game. We will get better as the season moves forward.”
 
The Broncos were led by Jennifer Bryant's 13 points while JJ Judge chipped in 12 points for the victors.  The hosts forced 23 turnovers by the Gators, while they went 19-for-36 from the line.  SF State (8-6, 5-5 CCAA) was just 5-for-16 from the charity stripe.
 
SF State jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, but the Broncos' Cydnie Jones' lay-up capped a 6-0 run to tie the game at 13:34. 
 
The Gators retook the lead, on a Jennifer Le lay-up, 10-8, with 11:14, which was the last time they held the lead. 
 
Cal Poly Pomona outscored its visitors 10-4 in the next six minutes to take a 20-12 lead.  The Broncos increased their lead to double figures, 27-17, heading into halftime as Lisha Elsenbach made one of her two attempts from the line. 
 
The hosts started the second half scoring five of the seven points in the first six minutes to take a 34-21 lead, their largest of the game.
 
SF State would not go away as the Gators cut the lead to 35-26 with 11:17 to go on a Farrah Shokoor lay-up. 
 
The Broncos were fouled on their next possession and Judge connected on both free throws to increase their lead back to double digits, 37-26. 
 
Varney's lay-up with 5:12 to go in the game capped an 8-3 run by the Gators and cut the deficit to 40-34, but that is the closest the visitors would get as the Broncos hung for a 47-39 victory.
 
SF State will return home next weekend to finish off the first part of the conference season with two games.  The Gators, who are in sixth place in the CCAA, will host UC San Diego this Friday, January 25 and then Cal State San Bernardino a week from this evening.  Tip-off for both games is set for 5:30 pm PST at The Swamp. 

Box Score