Dec. 19, 2006

Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Guard Billy Hofman hit two free throws with 12 seconds left, lifting nationally ranked Cal Poly Pomona to a 67-64 victory over host Western Washington University on Tuesday to open the first Great Western Shootout in men's basketball action at Valley High School.

Guard Ira Graham (So., Fontana, CA) led Western, which fell to 5-3 with its second straight loss, with 13 points and a game-high six assists.

Cal Poly Pomona, which was ranked No.22 in today's NABC/NCAA Division II Coaches Top 25, improved to 6-1 overall with its fifth consecutive victory. Forward Dion Cook led the Broncos with a game-high 19 points.

Forward Brett Weisner (Jr., Spokane/Shadle Park), who scored 12 points off the bench in his first action after returning from a knee injury suffered last spring, gave Western a 64-63 lead on two free throws with 24.9 seconds left.

Hofman, who had not attempted a free throw all season, was then fouled driving the lane, and swished both shots for the go-ahead points.

Western had a chance to go back in front, but a pass sailed over an open Graham and out-of-bounds with five seconds left. Luis Pulido then made two free throws with two seconds left to put the Broncos up by three, and the Vikings were unable to get off a game-tying attempt.

The Vikings trailed by 13, 45-32, with 13:48 left, but went on an 18-3 run to take a 50-48 lead on a 10-footer by Graham with 7:53 left. The game was tied eight times after that, with neither team ever leading by more than three points.

Forward Calin Schell (So., Chelan) had 12 points for Western, and forward Lukas Henne (Sr., Bremerton/Central Kitsap) added 11.

Western, which shot just 32.1 percent (9-of-28) in the first half, was tied at 23-all when Weisner hit a 3-pointer. But Cal Poly Pomona closed the half with eight points in the last 59 seconds, capped by Cook's 3-pointer from two steps behind the halfcourt line.

The Vikings had a 28-25 edge in rebounds, with center Steve Severin (Fr., Richland/Hanford) grabbing a game-high six.

It was Western's second loss to Cal Poly Pomona this season. The Broncos defeated the Vikings, 75-66, in Seattle on Nov. 17.

On Wednesday, CPP meets Central Washington University at 3 p.m. and Western plays Cal State San Bernardino at 5 p.m.