Toros Coast in 69-54 Decision Over Cal State East Bay

CARSON -- Cal State Dominguez Hills shot a sizzling 53.8% from the floor in the first half en route to building a 37-19 lead, and survived a few frenetic moments down the stretch to hold off Cal State East Bay in a 69-54 decision tonight in Carson. Mitrell Clark enjoyed a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor, including 3-of-3 from long range as one of four Toros in double-figure scoring.

With the win, the Toros improve to 7-6, 3-3 CCAA, while the Pioneers fall to 3-6, 2-3 CCAA.

The Toros took charge from opening tip, racing out to a 10-point lead at 17-7 on a Matt Cain triple at the 11:40 mark, and to 37-15 on a lay-up by Clark with 1:19 left in the half before settling for a 37-19 lead after the period.

Things looked to remain the same after the break after a pair of Myron Green freebies doubled the score on the Pioneers at 46-23 with just over 15 minutes left in regulation.

But the Toros failed to keep their intensity over the next five minutes as the Pioneers shrank their deficit to just 56-45 after Gabe Kindred drained a triple.

CSUDH then picked up its game again, keeping East Bay at arm's length in the eventual 15-point margin of victory.

Lamine Diame led the Toros with 12 points, with Givon Crump and Pierson Williams chipping in 11 each in the win. Jurrell Turner, meanwhile, led all scorers with 18 for the Pios.

As a team, CSUDH finished shooting 46.3% from the floor, bettering that effort with a 55.6% success rate from three. Defensively, the Pioneers were limited to just 33.3% shooting from the field, and 26.7% from downtown.

The Toros welcomed an impromptu visit from many former Toro men's basketball players who played for coach Powell in (L-R) Phil Givens, Nonso Nibo, Brian Gee, Mike Steed, Tyson Bettis, James Cawthorne, Jerrell Smith, Jonathan Toliver, Robert Willhite, Ryan Walton, Mike Lofton and Mike Hernandez, with attendees Wayne Andrews and Roy Nam not pictured.

CSUDH takes to the road next weekend before returning home for the first of six-consecutive home games, starting with CS Stanislaus on January 18.

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