Poor Second Half the Difference in 59-46 Loss at Cal State L.A.

LOS ANGELES -- Cal State L.A. held Cal State Dominguez Hills to just 15 points in the second half, turning a 31-all tie into a 59-46 win to split the regular season series against its cross-town rival. Pierson Williams led CSUDH with 9 points, all from long range, in the loss, while Lamine Diame (pictured) led the squad with 9 boards.

With the loss, the Toros fall to 5-5, 2-2 CCAA, while the Golden Eagles improve to 4-3, 2-2 CCAA.

The Golden Eagles trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but allowed only six second-half baskets in the double-digit win.

James Tillman posted 14 points to lead three Golden Eagles in double figures, with Joshua Munzon adding 12 and Jordan Richard 10.

DeShaun Freeman and Ryan Jefferson had eight points each in the loss as no Toro reached double-figure scoring this afternoon.

Cal State L.A. shot 47.9 percent from the floor (23-of-48), while holding Cal State Dominguez Hills to just 28.1 percent shooting (16-of-57). The Golden Eagles had a 40-31 edge in rebounds and forced 22 turnovers while committing 19.

The Toros played with more intensity early and opened up a 16-6 lead after an 8-0 run that culminated with a steal by Lamine Diame and a layup by Mitrell Clark. A 3-pointer by Clark gave the Toros another 10-point lead, 19-9, midway through the half.

The Golden Eagles, though, began to work their way back into the game and made a huge run when Willie Trimble knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the deficit to one point, 30-29. A layup by Tillman tied it at halftime, 31-31.

The Golden Eagles then played an outstanding second half to earn the much-needed victory. Cal State L.A. eventually broke the game with an 8-0 run that extended a 42-40 lead to 50-40. Cheyanne Alcala hit a jumper to start the run, Munzon made a layup, Alcala had a steal and layup and then made another layup.

After the Toros broke the string with a free throw, Solomon Singer hit a big 3-pointer to give Cal State L.A. a 53-41 with 3:30 to go. Four free throws by Alcala and Munzon in the final minute kept the Toros at bay.

Alcala finished with eight points, all in the second half, for Cal State L.A., Trimble had six points and Singer finished with five points and seven rebounds.

The Toros will conclude the 2012 calendar year on Monday as they take on Azusa Pacific in the CS San Bernardino-hosted tournament, set for a 4:30 pm first tip.

(Courtesy CSULA)

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Poor Second Half the Difference in 59-46 Loss at Cal State L.A.