Toros Edge Sonoma State in Tough 55-52 Win

Box Score

CARSON -- With both team defenses playing well, points were at a premium tonight in the Torodome. When push came to shove, however, the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros would survive the final three minutes, defeating to the Sonoma State Seawolves by a 55-52 final. Junior Nikki Boutte' hit the biggest shot of the game while scoring 16 points along with five rebounds.

Both squads played exceptional defense, each holding the other to less than 22% from the field. Sonoma State, which never trailed in the first half, started off the game with a three-pointer while CSUDH responded with a pair of free throws from junior Tiffany Smith. Smith would score the Toros' first six points of the game before the rest of the team found their groove. CSU Dominguez Hills would get within two at 17-15 with 7:06 left in the first half though the Seawolves would inch away to the halftime lead of 24-20.

The Toros would begin the second half by getting within three points twice, only to have Sonome State drain a three-pointer to extend the lead to six both times. The Seawolves would expand the lead to nine at 39-30 with 13:56 to go. However over the next four minutes CSUDH would go on a 10-0 run to take their first lead of the game at 40-39 with 9:56 left to play.

Over the next nine minutes the lead would change hands several times until a Boutte' three-pointer from the wing gave the Toros a 53-52 lead with 21 seconds left in regulation. SSU would turn the ball over and foul junior Sherrie Hughes, who would sink two free throws for the final margin.

For the game both squads struggled to only 28% from the field and 23% from behind the arc. CSU Dominguez Hills lost the rebounding battle 47-41, but won the turnover stat, 14-10. Smith scored 15, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked four shots off the bench. Hughes grabbed a team-high nine rebounds while scoring six.

Cal State Dominguez Hills returns to action tomorrow night, January 22, on the Dave Yanai Court to play the defending CCAA tournament champion Humboldt State Lumberjacks at 5:30pm.

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