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CSUDH Takes Cross-Town Battle in Thrilling 55-51 Win Over CSULA

Box Score
Carson, CA -- Looking as if it was about to drop its third-straight CCAA contest trailing visiting Cal State L.A. by 7 with 1:37 left in the game, Cal State Dominguez Hills dug in its defensive heels and blanked the Golden Eagles the remainder of the game to come away with a hard-fought and thrilling 55-51 win over its cross-town rival, avenging an earlier season loss in the Eagles Nest.  Michael Hernandez led the way with 22 points in the thriller.

Jerrell Smith paced the Toros early on with 12 first-half points as CSUDH built an early 16-9 lead at the 9:32 mark.  The visitors slowly cut into their deficit over the next few minutes, regaining the lead at 21-20 on a triple by Artis Gant, who added another bucket to put CSULA up by three at the 2:21 mark.

A Smith layin, however, again gave the Toros the lead, and two Hernandez foul shots with 53 ticks left gave CSUDH a 24-23 lead entering the break.

The Toros stormed out of the gate in the second frame, taking a 30-23 lead on a Smith bucket 3:16 into the period.  The visitors, however, used nine-consecutive points by Donte Bell to storm ahead at 34-33 with 13:04 left in regulation, befor a Dwayne Jones triple gave the visitors a 4 point lead at 39-35 three minutes later.

Hernandez, however, took control of CSUDH's offense, scoring consecutive buckets to bring the Toros within two points, setting up the fantastic finish.

After a Hernandez trey again brought CSUDH to within two points at 51-49 with just 56 seconds left, Artis Gant was whistled for an intentional foul on Hernandez as CSULA was attempting to inbound the ball, giving the Whittier native two foul shots and possession.

Calmly draining both gimmes to tie the game, Hernandez then took a feed from Smith for a smooth reverse layup, before knocking down two more foul shots for a 55-51 lead with eight ticks left on the clock.  A Dwayne Jones 3-point attempt with two seconds left went for naught, sealing the Toro win and giving the two schools a series split.

Smith added 16 points in the win as the Toros dominated the glass, 45-32, with Smith tallying the game's lone double-figure total with 11 boards. 

Bell led CSULA with 20 points while Gant chipped in with 11 in the loss.

CSUDH, now 15-5, 9-4 CCAA, continues CCAA action tomorrow night as UC San Diego pays the Torodome a visit, with first tip set for 7:30 pm.
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