POMONA, Calif. – The Sonoma State women's basketball team nearly erased a 16-point first half deficit but ultimately came up short against Cal Poly Pomona 70-53.  The Seawolves clawed their way back to within one point late in the third quarter but could not overtake the Broncos to fall to 8-9 in CCAA play. 
 
SSU fell behind early, allowing the game's first five points and found themselves down 12-2 in the first four minutes.  CPP extended their lead to as many as twelve in the opening period, leading 19-7 heading into the second. 
 
The Seawolves struggled to score to open the second as well, falling behind by 16 at the halfway points before they started getting some shots to fall.  Sonoma ripped off a 13-3 run to pull within six in the waning minutes of the half.  Taylor Johnson jump started with the run with two 3-pointers and was followed by a triple from Aaryn Pickett.  Johnson added another basket and Kianna Maldia made a layup to make it a six point game. 
 
Cal Poly Pomona ended the half with six straight as the lead was 12 at the break.  Sonoma State came out gunning in the second half, opening with a 9-3 run to pull back within six.  Zane Sheckherd knocked down two 3-pointers during the run.  A few minutes later Cielo Gonzalez and Pickett each made triples and Sheckherd added a layup and suddenly the Seawolves trailed by only one.  The Broncos scored next four points and ended the third with a layup to lead 53-48 after three. 
 
The game was all CPP from there as Sonoma State managed just five points in the fourth quarter.  The Broncos scored 17 in the final quarter to end the game with a 70-53 win. 
 
Sheckerd led the Seawolves with 14 points while Pickett tacked on 11.  The Seawolves knocked down 8 of 21 threes on the game but committed 20 turnovers. 
 
Sonoma State moved into sixth place in the CCAA despite the loss and currently hold the final spot in the conference tournament.  They return home next week to close the season out with games against Cal State San Marcos and Cal State LA.