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Men's Basketball

No. 13 Unlucky for Toros in 61-59 Upset Loss to UC San Diego

Box Score
CARSON -- Ranked amongst the nation's best nearly the entire year and reaching a program-best No. 4 ranking three weeks ago, this week's ranking of No. 13 proved unlucky for the Cal State Dominguez Hills men's basketball team as visiting UC San Diego entered the Torodome fighting for its CCAA tournament life, and came away with a huge 61-59 upset win over the Toros. 

The loss, coupled with Central Washington's defeat earlier this week, looks to put CCAA league leading Humboldt State in the driver's seat for NCAA West Region hosting duties after the 'Jacks continued their winning ways, winning their seventh-game in a row in a 78-65 win over San Francisco State.

Tonight's contest remained close throughout as the pesky Tritons used the 3-point shot to keep within striking distance in the opening stanza, trailing just 30-27 after one despite Michael Cox's period-high 10 points and CSUDH's shooting 50% from the field.

CSUDH's lead drew to as much as eight at 45-37 on a Robert Willhite jumper at the 13:31 mark and to double-figures one possession later on a Tim McLaurin bucket, but a triple by UCSD's Tyler McGrath and bucket by Justin Brue cut the Toro lead to just five, before another Brue bucket got UCSD to within 49-47 with 9:53 left in regulation.

UCSD's comeback became complete down the stretch, tying the game at 58-all with 65 ticks left on the first of three James McCann free throws after drawing the foul on an attempted 3 pointer, and taking a 60-58 on the next two makes.

The Toros had a chance to tie the game after Cox was fouled on a shot attempt, but the senior sank just one of two.  After another missed Toro foul shot and a CSUDH foul, Casey Ryan returned the favor by making just one of two free throws to give the Toros one last chance, but clean 3-point look by Zareh Zargaryan as the buzzer sounded went an inch too far, giving the visitors the shocking win.

CSUDH was led by Cox's 15 points and seven boards, while Willhite chipped in 13 and McLaurin 10.

Brue led all scorers with 17 points with McGrath contributing 13 points and Ryan 11 boards.

Though the Toros shot 46.3% from the field, they were just 7-of-16 from the free throw line, compared to 13-of-17 for the Tritons.

CSUDH looks to end its final regular season homestand on a winning note tomorrow night as Cal State East Bay visits Carson, with first tip set for 7:30 pm on the "Dave Yanai Court" in the Torodome.  Prior to first tip, CSUDH will honor its five seniors playing in their final regular season home contest.

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