McGrath Puts Up 30 as Toros Win First Game of Season in 65-61 Decision Over Cal State East Bay

(PHOTO: MICHAEL FOO)

Box Score

CARSON, Calif. -- Senior guard Tim McGrath poured in a career-high 30 points to lead Cal State Dominguez Hills to its first win of the 2009-10 season, draining 9-of-12 shots from the field and 10-of-12 from the foul line in a 65-61 win over a game Cal State East Bay squad to improve to 1-7, 1-2 CCAA.

McGrath sizzled in the opening 20 minutes of play, dropping in 24 points on an array of athletic and acrobatic shots, including an alley-oop dunk on a Zareh Zargaryan assist that gave the Toros their second biggest lead of the half at 36-20 with just over five minutes left in the half.

The Pioneers, however, used an Adam Green triple and hot free throw shooting to cut the lead to 38-31 with five seconds left, before another McGrath bucket gave CSUDH a nine-point cushion at 40-31 entering the half.

A James Cawthorne gimme in the paint to open the second half gave CSUDH a 42-31 lead, but six-consecutive CSUEB points quieted the Torodome crowd, the last three coming on a Frankie McWirt 3-pointer at the 17:14 mark.

The Pioneers, who fell to 3-6, 0-4 CCAA, completed their comeback 12 minutes later as a Jawaan Rubin jumper tied the game at 55-55, before the first of two successful Mark Samuels free throws gave CSUEB its first lead of the game at 58-57, increasing it to 59-57 on the second make.

A Cawthrone triple from deep in the corner, however, answered the Pioneer run on the ensuing possession, spurring an 8-2 run to end the game and giving CSUDH its first win of the 2009-10 season in a 65-61 victory.

McGrath wasn't just offensive-minded on the night, as he drew a key charge late in the game to quell a crucial Pioneer possession and help preserve the Toro win.

The Toros shot 45.7% for the game and limited the Pioneers to just 36.4%, also taking an edge on the boards with 32 rebounds, compared to just 24 for CSUEB. Cawthorne added 11 points in the win, while Rubin's 13 and McWirt's 10 points paced the Pioneers in the loss.

CSUDH, which improved to 1-7, 1-2 CCAA, looks to stay undefeated in the 2010 calendar year as it takes on UC San Diego tomorrow afternoon, with first tip set for 3:00 pm in the Torodome.

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