NCAA Division II Women’s Quarterfinals : Cal Poly Pomona Defeats North Dakota State, 77-67

Guard Michelle McCoy and center Niki Bracken of the Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball team would like to forget the first half of their NCAA Division II quarterfinal game Friday night against North Dakota State.

The pair made only 3 of 15 shots in the first half, but they combined for 35 points in the second half to lead the second-ranked Broncos to a come-from-behind 77-67 victory at Kellogg Gym in Pomona.

The victory improved Cal Poly Pomona’s record to 28-2 and earned the Broncos their third straight berth in the Division II final four tournament at Springfield, Mass., next week.

The two-time defending Division II champions will meet Pittsburgh Johnstown (25-4) in the semifinals. Pittsburgh upset top-ranked Delta State, 68-63.

North Dakota State, ranked No. 3 in Division II, finished at 26-4.

Behind the strong shooting of guard Kristi Kremer and center Dana Patsie, North Dakota State took a 34-30 halftime lead.

But the fast-breaking Broncos outscored their opponents, 47-33, in the second half.

“In the second half, their transition just killed us,” North Dakota State Coach Amy Ruley said. “Michelle did a great job on us. She just drove by our players.”

Pomona Coach Darlene May: “I told the team (at halftime), ’20 more minutes and it’s over if you don’t play defense.’ We went from a zone to a man-to-man and it may have made the difference.”