Broncos Face Tall Washington Club

After winning two straight games against NCAA Division I opponents, the Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball team will play host to Western Washington at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Poly Pavilion.

Western Washington is a small NAIA school but the Vikings entered the week at 7-0 after finishing at 22-7 last year. Pomona, which reached the NCAA Division II quarterfinals last season, is 9-2.

The Vikings have the size to match the Broncos. Western Washington’s tall front line consists of center Cim Hanson (6-2) and forwards Anna Rabel (6-0) and Alayna Keppler (5-11). The other starters are guards Kerri Browitt (5-9) and Erica Porter (5-7).

All of Western Washington’s starters average between 10 and 16.4 points, led by Rabel at 16.4 and Keppler at 14. Keppler averages a team-leading 10.1 rebounds.

Pomona has been led by junior center Niki Bracken (6-2) and senior point guard Cathy Gooden (5-5). Bracken is averaging 17.6 points and 8.4 rebounds and Gooden 16.3 points. Another player in double figures is guard Carrie Egan (5-8) at 10.1 points.

The Broncos will play host to Wayland Baptist--another NAIA team--at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.