Toros Wilt Under Coyote Pressure in 67-58 Loss to No. 19 CSUSB

Box Score

Carson, CA -- Visiting and 19th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino used a stifling press that caused six Toro turnovers in the first five minutes of the second half, resulting in a 15-2 run from which CSUDH failed to recover as the Coyotes took a 67-58 win tonight in the Torodome, snapping the Toros' six-game win streak.

The Toros started “cardinal” hot at the outset, building their lead to as much as 12 points at 23-11 on a Jamaal Barnes layup with 6:48 left in the first half. The Coyotes, however, then employed a full court press that flustered the once streaking Toros, and drained consecutive 3-pointers to cut CSUDH's lead in half. The Toro lead hovered at 6 until two Marlon Pierce free throws at 3:11 and a Pierce layup after a Toro turnover got CSUSB to within 27-25 just 10 seconds later. The Coyotes, who improved to 17-4, 10-3 CCAA, made their comeback complete as Pierce drained a trey with six seconds left, sending the teams into intermission knotted at 31-31.

As fast as the Toros started in the first half, CSUSB matched that effort to begin the second by building a 46-33 lead after the sixth Toro turnover of the second period resulted in a Pierce jumper. Inexplicably, the Coyotes put the brakes on their press, allowing the Toros to make a comeback.

With CSUSB leading 55-43 at the 7:58 mark, two buckets each by Jerrell Smith and Rodney Yearby (pictured), along with a Yearby foul shot, brought CSUDH to within 55-52 with 5:29 left in regulation, but Pierce again put a dagger straight through the Toros' heart with a three, and another Pierce trey a minute later gave CSUSB a 61-52 lead with just over three minutes left in the game.

Pierce, who scored a game-high 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting, gave the 'Yotes their last double-figure lead of the night at 64-54 with 2:18 remaining as CSUSB settled for the nine-point win.

Yearby was the lone Toro in double-figure scoring with 18 points, while Nonso Nibo chipped in seven in the loss. CSUSB managed just one double-figure scorer in Pierce as well as four other Coyotes managed six points apiece.

CSUDH, which fell to 12-7, 7-6 CCAA, looks to begin another streak tomorrow as Cal Poly Pomona visits Carson for a 7:30 pm first tip.

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