Chico State Ends Toro Win Streak in Heart-Stopping 80-78 Decision

Box Score

CHICO -- Down two with three ticks left in regulation, junior Tayler Champion launched a three-pointer that could have won the game and extended Cal State Dominguez Hills' win streak to seven, but Courtney Hamilton got a hand on the attempt as Chico State survived in an 80-78 thriller in Acker Gymnasium.

With the loss, the Toros drop to 8-3, 4-3 CCAA. Chico State, meanwhile, was the ninth-straight over CSUDH, and moved the Wildcats to 7-4, 3-4 CCAA.

CS Dominguez Hills took control of the contest early, using 3-pointers by Champion and Simone Thompson to build a hefty 17-6 lead. Chico State pulled even with a 21-10 run, but the Toros promptly used a 7-0 run to go back in front.

With CSUDH up 36-30, the Wildcats got three treys to key an 11-4 run in the final 2:38 of the period to lead 41-40 at halftime.

The 'Cats came out firing in the second half, boosting their lead to eight with 15:03 to play. Dominguez Hills, though, came roaring back, as two more Champion 3-pointers sparked a 13-4 run and put the Toros back in front 61-60.

The game went back and forth with four tie scores and three lead changes before Chico State scored eight unanswered points to put the Wildcats on top 75-67 with 6:10 to go.

With 3:42 remaining, a 3-pointer by Champion capped off a 9-3 Dominguez Hills run and trimmed the 'Cats' lead to 78-76. The Chico State defense deftly dug in, surrendering just a pair of free throws down the stretch – but it took a huge game-ending play by Hamilton to seal the victory.

Champion tried to heave up a last-second 3-pointer to win it for the Toros, but Hamilton blocked the shot cleanly as time ran out, giving the Wildcats a thrilling 80-78 triumph.

The Toros were held without a field goal for the final 3:42 of the game despite a game-high 27 from Champion and 21 from Monay Lee.

CSUC shot 55.3% from the floor and 57.1% from downtown, while holding CSUDH to just 39.3% from the field and just 39.1% from behind the arc.

CSUDH will look to regain its winning ways tomorrow night in Turlock, with first tip against the Warriors set for 5:30 pm.

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