Sizzling Comeback Falls Short as Otters Take Toros 66-61

CARSON, Calif. -- Chopping the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters' point total in half in the second half was not enough as the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros' second half surge left them wanting in a 66-61 loss in the Torodome. Neka Mixon scored 10 of her 12 points in the second to lead the Toro push.

The Otters, who scored 43 points in the first half, found a fresh Toro defense in the second as CSUDH limited them to 23 points.

The Toros' 33 points in the second, added to their 28 first-half total gave them a final of 61, not enough in the loss.

Mixon was deadly in the second, grabbing 10 of her 12 points in the 20-minute half.

CSUDH managed only leads in the first half, their biggest and last one at 22-20, coming by way of a Barbara Houston jumper.

Entering the break down by 15-points at 28-43, the Toros managed to cut the deficit down to three-points following a Mixon layup and freebie shot, seeing the score at 61-64 with 1:45 left in regulation.

A Toro foul would erase any chance of a win as CSUMB's Julie Heuring sank both of her free throws to end the game at 66-61.

Overall, three Toros scored in double-figures, Mixon with 12, and both Houston and Brandie McCann at 10 apiece.

Leading for the Otters was Helen Suarez with 25, a high on the night.

Not one player grabbed double-digit boards, Mixon, Houston and Whitney Gantt all grabbed five each to lead CSUDH while Heuring's seven led the Otters.

The loss drops the Toros to a 4-8 overall mark, (3-4 CCAA) while advancing the Otters to 9-2 overall (5-1 CCAA). The Toros will next see action as they begin a three-week home stretch next week, traveling to Cal Poly Pomona on January 15th. Tip-off is slated for 5:30pm.

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