Broncos lose title tilt in overtime

The Cal Poly Pomona men's basketball team came close but that has to be little consolation now.

The unranked Broncos fell to No. 1 Findlay 56-53 in overtime in the Division II National championship game today at the MassMutual center in Springfield, Mass. The difference was a 3-pointer from the wing by Tyler Evans as time ran out. He was well defended but made a great shot so give him credit.

Coach Greg Kamansky's team played with the poise and dignity it played with all season on the biggest stage possible. They were down and didn't panic. They weren't intimidated by a team with a lofty reputation and national ranking.

Few could have expected the Broncos to get that far. They probably didn't expect it themselves. That is until they started string some wins together at the end of the regular season. Then they started to believe and the confidence grew with every game.

You don't get that close that often so it hurts to lose even if you weren't expected to be there, But the Broncos walked off the court with heads held high, as well they should have.

That closes the book on the storied career of Larry Gordon, one of four seniors on the team and one of only two that saw significant playing time. While it is never easy to replace an All-American, the Broncos will have something they didn't have this season - a strong nucleus of returning players.

Austin Swift, Dwayne Fells, Robert Summers, Daher Nasser and the much-improved Tobias Jahn. They'll also get back Donnelle Booker, who was out all season with a knee injury. There are plenty of pieces in place to make another run. The experience those players gained is something to build on.