Cal Poly Pomona Women Win, 72-70, Reach Division II Championship Game

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. —  Cal Poly Pomona, down by 10 points with six minutes to play, rallied to defeat Pittsburgh Johnstown, 72-70, in an NCAA Division II Women’s semifinal basketball game Thursday.

The two-time defending national champion Broncos trailed, 64-54, with six minutes remaining before going on a 13-2 run to take the lead. Guard Paula Tezak had five points during that span, including a jump shot that made it 67-66 with 2:26 left.

The teams traded baskets until Michelle McCoy hit a 18-footer with 1:02 remaining to make it 71-70. Johnstown (25-5) worked for the last shot, but Rita Anderson missed a 20-footer that was rebounded by Tezak, who was fouled.

Tezak made one of two free throws to give Pomona a 72-70 lead with eight seconds left. The Mountain Cats had one final chance to tie, but they missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

Freshman Niki Bracken scored 21 points for Cal Poly Pomona (29-2). Tezak and McCoy each had 18. The Broncos will play New Haven of Connecticut in the championship game Saturday at 3 p.m. New Haven advanced to the final with a 77-74 overtime win over Northern Kentucky.