Cal Poly men throttle Monterey Bay

POMONA – When your star player is struggling the best way to win
is to have others to pick up the slack. The Cal Poly Pomona Broncos
did that and ran away with an impressive 79-60 win over visiting Cal
State Monterey Bay Friday at Kellog Gymnasium.

Senior preseason All-American Larry Gordon managed just nine
points. It was his fifth straight game in single digits after 40
straight in double digits dating back to his sophomore season.

But the Broncos had four players finish in double figures.
Walter Thompson led the way with 19 points, followed by Austin
Swift (17), Tobias Jahn (14) and Robert Summers (10).

“We got a balanced team effort, the most balanced we’ve had in
awhile,” coach Greg Kamansky said. “If we can have that balance
and run that efficient an offense, we’ll do alright.”

The Broncos started strong, surging out to a 21-6 lead with
11:21 left in the half. Cal Poly maintained that double digit lead
and was up 39-29 at the half.

Gordon managed just two in the first half, that bucket coming on
a jumper with 3:35 left in the half giving his team a 37-25 lead.
That came only seconds after he missed his first field goal try of
the game, a 3-pointer from the top of the key.

Gordon hit 4 of 7 tries from the field. All but three of Gordon’s
field goal attempts came from the perimeter. He traditionally scores
most of his points off rebounds, drives to the basket or from the
free-throw line.

The others took advantage of their openings. It helped that so
many of the newcomers have setttled in and seem to have gotten past
the adjustment phase.

“Coach wants us to take the open shots,” said Swift, last week’s
CCAA Player of the Week. “They were sagging off a bit since we
hadn’t been hitting from outside so I had some open shots. I’m
feeling more confident taking them.”

Kamansky has been pleased with his standout’s demeanor through
his uncharacteristic slump. With 7:30 left in the game Gordon broke
free and unleashed a slam dunk, only to be called for traveling. He
just smiled.

The offensive drought hasn’t affected his play in other areas.
Gordon, the leading rebounder in the conference, snagged 14 boards,
all on the defensive end. He also had three steals.

Kamansky thinks it’s only a matter of time before the Gordon of
old is back.

“He looked a lot better tonight,” Kamanksy said. “He played a
lot more in control and he made better decisions.”

Cal Poly finished with a huge 46-30 advantage on the boards.
Gordon was followed by Summers with 11 and Jahn with seven.

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