March 13, 2005

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Cal Poly Pomona and University of Alaska Fairbanks meet Monday (7 p.m.) in the West Regional championship game of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament on Haggen Court at Carver Gym on the campus of host Western Washington University.

Cal Poly Pomona, the No.3 seed, reached the regional final by defeating No.2 seed Hawaii Hilo, 73-62, in a semifinal game Saturday after opening the tourney with an 82-77 triumph over Seattle Pacific on Friday. The Broncos, 23-6 overall, won the regional title in 2003.

Alaska Fairbanks, the No.5 seed, defeated host and No.1 seed Western Washington, 88-66, on Saturday after claiming a 66-59 triumph over Cal State San Bernardino in the first round. The Nanooks, now 21-8, are in the regional final for the second consecutive season, losing to Humboldt State in 2004.

The Broncos are led by the inside combination of seniors Jeff Bonds and David Sybesma. Bonds averages 17.6 points and 6.4 rebounds a game, and Sybesma, the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Year, contributes 16.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Cal Poly Pomona also got a big lift Saturday from guard Jonathan Boyd, who had a career-high 28 points.

Alaska Fairbanks is led by two-time GNAC Player of the Year Brad Oleson, a senior forward. Oleson averages 24.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists a game, and had 29 in the victory over Western Washington. Junior center Andrew Smith contributes 14.8 points and 4.4 rebounds.

The two teams last met in the first round of the 2003 regional, Cal Poly Pomona prevailing, 80-76. The Broncos have a 4-1 series advantage.

Tickets are $10 reserved, $8 general admission, and $5 for youth and students.

Monday's victor advances to the NCAA II Elite Eight at Grand Forks, N.D., on March 23-26.