Rayford's Game-High 27 at Cal State L.A. Not Enough in 70-67 2OT Loss to Open 2013-14 Season

Box Score

LOS ANGELES -- Junior Talia Rayford scored a game-high 27 points as Cal State Dominguez Hills opened its 2013-14 season at cross-town rival Cal State L.A., but 14 misses at the charity stripe in 33 attempts proved too much to overcome in the 70-67 double overtime loss.

The game was a dramatic one as both teams had chances to win late in regulation and in the first overtime. Finally, a layup by CSULA's Tina Fantroy broke a 64-64 tie with 2:30 to go in the second overtime and put the Golden Eagles ahead for good.

Rayford hit a free throw to slice the deficit to 66-65, but Aikekhoe Okungbowa hit a pair of free throws to boost the lead back to three points, 68-65 en route to the 3-point decision.

Cal State L.A. trailed at halftime, 32-27, but had a tremendous defensive effort in the second half that limited the Toros to just six baskets and 18.2 percent shooting. The Golden Eagles shot just 39.7 percent for the game (23-of-58), but held the Toros to just 24.7 percent (20-of-81).

Cal State L.A. was 21-of-33 from the free-throw line, while Cal State Dominguez Hills was 19-of-33. In the two overtime periods, though, Cal State L.A. was 10-of-12, while Cal State Dominguez Hills was just 3-of-9.

Cal State L.A. enjoyed a 58-52 rebounding edge, but also committed 28 turnovers to only 16 for Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Fantroy scored 17 points to lead the Golden Eagles, while Okungabowa had 14 points and eight rebounds.

Rayford had a big game for the Toros and poured in 27 points to go along with seven rebounds. Tayler Champion had a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Amber Wharton had 10 points, including big 3-pointers late in the game.

The first half featured big swings. Cal State L.A. built a 23-15 lead after a layup by Faith Fantroy, but the Toros used an 11-0 run to spark a comeback and took a 32-27 lead at halftime. Cal State Dominguez Hills outscored the Golden Eagles, 17-4 over the final five minutes of the first half.

Cal State L.A. opened the second half with a big run of its own, scoring the first 15 points of the second half to open up a 42-32 lead, only to see the Toros answer with a 13-2 run to take a 45-44 lead after a pair of free throws by Rayford with 6:20 to go.

Cal State L.A. scored the next six points, but Rayford came back with four straight points to make it a 50-49 game. Parsons scored on an offensive rebound to give the Golden Eagles a 52-49 lead with two minutes to go, but Wharton hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 1:10 to go to send the game into overtime.

After the Golden Eagles opened up a four-point lead early in the first overtime, Wharton hit another big 3-pointer to tie the game at 56-56. Parsons hit a jumper with 2:20 left to give the Golden Eagles a 58-56 lead, but Monay Lee scored on an offensive basket with 40 seconds left to send the game into a second overtime. Both teams missed shots down the stretch that could have won it.

In the second overtime, Wharton hit her third 3-pointer to give the Toros a 64-62 lead, but Okungbowa hit a pair of free throws to tie it and a layup by Fantroy gave the Golden Eagles the lead for good.

The Toros will head back to the Eagles Nest to participate in the CSULA-hosted Thanksgiving Classic, facing Point Loma Nazarene on Friday, November 29, with first tip set for 2 pm.

(Courtesy CSULA)

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Rayford's Game-High 27 at Cal State L.A. Not Enough in 70-67 2OT Loss to Open 2013-14 Season