POMONA, Calif.---Stan State locked in defensively from the opening tip Thursday night, forcing 22 turnovers and holding Cal Poly Pomona to just 34 percent shooting — including 2-for-21 (9.5 percent) from three-point range — in a 70-53 CCAA road victory at Kellogg Arena. The Warriors have now won four of their last five games, knocking down 10 three-pointers, placing four players in double figures and riding Lloyd French's career-high 19 points to secure their second straight win.

With the victory — combined with Cal Poly Humboldt's loss to No. 2 Cal State East Bay — Stan State improves to 12-11 overall and 8-9 in CCAA play and is now part of a three-way tie for fifth place with Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State San Marcos. The Warriors sit just  two games out of third place Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal Poly Humboldt as the regular season stretch run continues.

First Half
After falling behind 2-0, the Warriors quickly imposed their defensive presence. Stan State forced 12 first-half turnovers and converted them into transition opportunities to build early momentum.
A 16-6 run midway through the half gave the Warriors control, highlighted by a fastbreak dunk from Malachi Johnson and steady scoring from Lloyd French. Back-to-back three-pointers from Mark Jones III extended the lead to 22-10.
The Broncos trimmed the margin late, but Stan State carried a 38-29 lead into halftime while shooting 48.1 percent (13-for-27) from the field and 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) from beyond the arc.

Second Half
Cal Poly Pomona cut the lead to seven early in the second half, but Stan State responded immediately. Antony Newman-Gomez and Tahjae Ordonio knocked down consecutive three-pointers to push the margin back to double digits.
Later, triples from French and Johnson fueled a decisive run that stretched the advantage to 58-38 with just over 10 minutes remaining. The Warriors led by as many as 20 and never allowed the Broncos closer than 15 down the stretch.

Stan State shot 50 percent (11-for-22) in the second half and finished the night at 49.0 percent overall, including 10-of-19 (52.6 percent) from three-point range.

Warrior Notables

• Lloyd French scored a career-high 19 points, shooting 6-of-13 from the field and 5-of-6 at the free-throw line.
• Malachi Johnson added 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting with eight rebounds and two blocks.
• Antony Newman-Gomez finished with 13 points, knocking down three three-pointers.
• Donjae Lindsey recorded 10 points and six steals.
• Stan State forced 22 turnovers and converted them into 27 points.
• The Warriors held the Broncos to just 34 percent shooting overall and 2-of-21 from three-point range.
• Stan State outscored Cal Poly Pomona 24-5 in fastbreak points.

Up Next
Stan State continues its trip to the Inland Valley this Saturday, Feb. 14, for a 3 p.m. matchup with Cal State San Bernardino in San Bernardino. The Coyotes defeated UC Merced 81-65 on Thursday evening.

The Warriors will then return home to host Cal State Dominguez Hills on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. for Homecoming, followed by Cal State Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. on Senior Day. The program will honor Daniel Ameyaw, Jason Cibull, Javon Johnson, Tahjae Ordonio and Jordan Smith.

Stan State will close the regular season on the road in the Bay Area, traveling to No. 2 Cal State East Bay on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. before visiting San Francisco State on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.
The top six teams at the conclusion of the regular season will advance to the CCAA Championships, set for March 5-8 in Pomona, Calif. The winner of the CCAA Championship Tournament receives the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship.