Women's Basketball | 12/18/2009 7:01:31 PM

Box Score [Box score]

NAMPA, Idaho - Katie Torland's 21 points weren't enough to hold-off Cal Poly Pomona, which overcame a 14-point second half deficit to defeat Western Oregon, 63-62, in the GNAC/CCAA Challenge, Friday, Dec. 18th.

This was the second straight loss for WOU (4-6) by less than six points and it gave CPP (4-1, 1-1 CCAA) its first win after a 14-day layoff.

Reyana Colson scored 17 of her 23 points in the second half to help fuel the Broncos' 14-point comeback with 13:07 remaining. After facing its largest deficit of the game, CPP put together a 21-7 run over the next eight minutes to even the game at 54-54. After that the two teams traded baskets, with neither holding more than a three-point lead in the final five minutes.

The Broncos made two free throws to go up 63-60 with 12 second remaining, and then intentionally fouled Shayla Corder, to give WOU two free throws and the ball with just two ticks on the clock. She calmly stepped to the line and sunk both, to give the Wolves one last shot to win the neutral site game over a regional opponent. On the inbound, WOU found Torland cutting to the hoop but her jumper fell off the rim as time expired.

"It was unfortunate the last shot didn't go," said WOU head coach Greg Bruce. "It was a tough angle but she will make more of those than she misses.

"We put together another strong effort but we got a little too tentative in the second half," continued Bruce. "Cal Poly Pomona became more confident on the attack because of our tentativeness and they were able to comeback in the game."

Cal Poly Pomona's second half surge was also aided by it ability to control the boards. It outrebounded WOU 22-11 in the second half, including 12-3 on the offensive glass, en route to 13 second chance points. For the game, CPP held a 42-28 edge in the rebounding category.

"Their (CPP) best offense at the end of the game was throwing it up and getting the board," noted Bruce.

Both teams shot over 45-percent in the second half, but thanks in part to those 12 offensive rebounds, the Broncos were able to put up 14 more shots than the Wolves.

In addition to Torland's sixth 20-point performance of the season, Western Oregon also received strong offensive performances from Meaghan White, Sara Zahler and Erika Wilson. Zahler was second on the team with 13 points, as she went 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-7 from deep. She also led WOU with six rebounds. Wilson and White chipped in with seven and eight points, respectively, as both made three shots from the field.

"We just need to get over the hump in games like this." explained Bruce. "With the effort we have been showing we are going to get a team that is better than us."

The Wolves will have a quick opportunity for redemption against the CCAA as they take on Cal State LA, tomorrow (Dec. 19), at noon (mst), in the GNAC/CCAA Challenge in Nampa, Idaho.