Box Score Box score
SAN BERNARDINO -- Host Cal State San Bernardino staved off a late second half charge by Cal State Dominguez Hills Saturday night to defeat the Toros, 65-57, in a CCAA conference men's basketball team before 668 fans in Coussoulis Arena.
The victory gave the Coyotes sole possession of first place in the conference at 4-0 since UC San Diego, the co-leader starting the night, lost at Humboldt State, 80-69, and dropped to 3-1. CSUSB, ranked No. 10 in the nation, is now 11-1 overall. The loss dropped the Toros to 6-4 overall and 1-3 in the CCAA.
Three Coyotes scored in double figures led by senior guard Marlon Pierce with 15 points, six assists, three steals and three rebounds. Senior center Michael Earl had 12 points and three blocked shots, giving him 35 on the season, one shy of the school single-season record of 36 set by Kaneem Pelt in 2002-03 and Scott Duffy in 1998-99.
Junior wing Reggie Brown had 11 points, hitting three of five shots from 3-point range.
Senior guard Lance Ortiz, held to just five points on the night, nevertheless had a game-high 11 rebounds, dished off six assists and made four steals.
Jerrell Smith (pictured) came off the bench to lead the Toros with 15 points and 12 rebounds while Jamaal Barnes had 13 points and six rebounds.
Both teams shot under 40 percent for the game and less than 30 percent from the three and less than 60 percent from the foul line in a game. Eighteen turnovers contributed to the Toros' eventual demise, 13 coming on steals by the quick-handed Coyotes.
After taking a 35-32 lead to the locker room at halftime, CSUSB was leading 44-40 at the 13:29 mark before going on a 7-0 run to lead by 11 at 51-40 with 9:07 left on a layup by Pierce and CSUSB upped the lead to 13 at 56-43 with 7:53 left on a layup by Philip Jones off a steal by Ortiz.
However, the Toros went work and twice got the margin down to four points -- 59-55 on a free throw by Danny Tavares with 2:34 left and gain at 61-57 on a tip-in bucket by Barnes at the 1:49 mark.
However, the Coyotes got the lead back to six on a jumper by Brown and Ortiz finished the game with a pair of free throws.
CSUSB scored 20 points off turnovers but the Toros bench outscored the Coyotes reserves 27-20.
The Toros return home for CCAA action Wednesday night as cross-town rival Cal State L.A. pays Carson a visit, with first tip scheduled for 7:30 pm in the Torodome.
(Courtesy Cal State San Bernardino)
