Pomona Puts CCAA Streak on the Line

If it’s suspense that makes you crave sports, avoid Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball games, particularly if another California Collegiate Athletic Assn. team happens to be the opponent.

In the past four seasons, Pomona is 54-2 against CCAA teams. Twice the Broncos have won national championships and once they have been runner-up. This season, they again appear to be on their way to an impressive finish.

Pomona (24-3) is the top-seeded team in the CCAA postseason tournament that begins tonight at the Bakersfield Civic Auditorium.

The Broncos face Chapman, 14-11 overall and 5-7 in CCAA play, in a first-round game at 8:30 p.m.

The winner will meet either Cal State Northridge or Cal State Los Angeles in Saturday’s championship game. Northridge and Cal State L. A. play at 6 p.m. in the other semifinal.

Two years ago, Pomona lost to Cal State L. A. by 15 points, but the Broncos have since won 18 conferences games in a row.

Northridge has not beaten Pomona since the 1975-76 season, losing 29 in a row.

At the start of the season, Pomona was considered vulnerable. The Broncos would have to adjust to life without Michelle McCoy, an All-American point guard, and center Debra Larsen, the 1987 Division II player of the year.

Twenty-seven games--and only three losses--later, CSUN Coach Leslie Milke is convinced Pomona is as good as ever. “They’re a different team but just as tough,” she said.

In Milke’s opinion, Pomona’s strength has shifted from the inside to the outside. Cathy Gooden is as good at point guard as was McCoy, Milke said, and she has better support in the backcourt.

Northridge, which lost to Pomona, 80-46, in last season’s tournament final, finished second in the CCAA’s regular season with an 8-4 record.

The Lady Matadors, 14-12 overall, have received strong front-line play from freshman Julie Arlotto and sophomore twins Kathleen and Marianne Dixon.

Kathleen averages 12.9 points and 5.3 rebounds, and Marianne averages 11.9 points and 5.6 rebounds. Arlotto, from Simi Valley High, averages 9.7 points and 6 rebounds.

Bridgette Ealy, another freshman, may be Northridge’s best all-around player. A guard who plays all positions, she averages 8.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, leads the team with 19 blocked shots and is second with 55 assists and 52 steals.

Northridge split two games with Cal State L. A. this season.

The Golden Eagles are led by center Lupe Quintana, a 6-0 junior who averages 15.1 points and 11 rebounds a game.