Cal Poly Pomona’s Extra Work Rewarded With Title

Cal Poly Pomona capped a remarkable comeback with a strong performance in overtime Saturday, defeating North Dakota, 87-80, in the NCAA Division II women’s national championship game at Rochester, Minn.

The Fighting Sioux scored the game’s first 12 points and led by 16, 11 minutes into the game. But six different Broncos scored during a 23-6 run, and a basket by Aprile Powell with 2:31 remaining in the half put Pomona ahead, 30-29.

North Dakota led, 35-34, at halftime and built the lead to as many as nine points. But Powell and guard LaTasha Burnett pulled the Broncos even with four minutes left in regulation.

It was tied with 33 seconds remaining, and North Dakota’s Theresa LeCuyer missed a shot with eight seconds left to send the game into overtime. Pomona scored first and led the rest of overtime, with a three-point basket by Powell pushing the Broncos ahead by five with two minutes left.

Powell finished with 26 points and 18 rebounds and was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Burnett, who played the final 14 minutes with four fouls, had 19 points and five steals.

Jenny Boll led North Dakota with 25 points.

Cal Poly Pomona (27-3) had knocked off No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Columbus (Ga.) State in the semifinals, while North Dakota (29-4) beat Shippensburg (Pa.). North Dakota has won three national titles since 1997. Cal Poly has won four titles, but this was its first since 1986.

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Kentucky Wesleyan won its eighth NCAA Division II men’s basketball championship with a 72-63 victory over Washburn of Kansas at Bakersfield’s Centennial Garden.

Gino Bartolone scored 12 of his 15 points in the first half and made five of eight three-pointers for the Panthers. Lorico Duncan and Marshall Sanders contributed 13 points each, while Duncan had 11 rebounds.

Randolph Williams made eight of 17 shots and scored a game-high 19 points for Washburn.

Kentucky Wesleyan (31-3) dominated during the first half and led Washburn, 48-32, at the break.

Washburn regrouped in the second half, scoring the first seven points and closed the gap to three with 4:44 remaining. But Washburn’s shooting grew cold, and the Ichabods (29-5) went scoreless until a three-point basket in the final seconds by Melvin Ware.

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Jordan Adams scored 15 of her 17 points in the first half, and New Mexico’s defense was again solid as the Lobos advanced to the championship game of the women’s NIT with a 68-43 win Saturday night over Hawaii at Albuquerque, N.M.

New Mexico (22-12) will play host to the winner of today’s semifinal game between James Madison and Ohio State. The Lobos will be making their first appearance in a national championship game.