Toros Take Sole Possession of First Place in the CCAA With Intense 69-52 Win Over Humboldt State

Box Score

Carson, CA -- An intense rivalry grew exponentially after two ejections just minutes into a contest between two of the top 3 teams tied for the lead in the CCAA served as inspiration for host Cal State Dominguez Hills, who repelled a spirited Humboldt State comeback attempt in the Toros 69-52 win to take sole possession atop the CCAA after San Francisco State bested CS San Bernardino. Rodney Yearby keyed CSUDH's huge win with 18 points.

The Toros jumped to a 5-0 lead at the 18:17 mark when trash talking between HSU's Owen Newman and CSUDH's Jerrell Smith escalated into an altercation, prompting a Jamel Ward intercession that resulted in Ward and Newman being tossed after exchanging shoves and more words.

That incident riled up the Toros and their boistrous crowd as CSUDH built a 21-5 lead with 10 minutes togo, holding a 28-12 cushion at the 6:07 mark. Already implementing a full-court press with wholesale substitutions, the 'Jacks crept back into the contest, cutting the lead to single digits at 28-20 on an Ernie Spada trey, before settling for a 35-28 deficit on a Mike Kehrig triple to close the first half scoring.

HSU's press continued to befuddle the Toros after the break as a Jameson Figgat jumper whittled CSUDH's lead to 37-31 just four minutes in, but a Smith layup and Jonathan Toliver free throw pushed the lead back to 40-31, giving the Toros breathing room.

That's where the lead hovered the remainder of play until CSUDH became more efficient in its ball control, taking advantage of the press' gaps to bring the lead back to double figures in the final 17-point win.

Yearby led all scorers with 18 points, while Michael Hernandez chipped in 16 in the win. Smith, who maintained his composure after the incident, finished with 12 points and a couple of high-flying blocks.

CSUDH, now 13-3, 7-2 CCAA, looks to make it four-straight tomorrow night as Sonoma State makes its annual visit to Carson, with first tip set for 7:30 pm in the Torodome.

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