CARSON — The Cal State Dominguez Hills women's basketball team started off strong by scoring 30 points in the first quarter, but it went a bit sluggish the rest of the way. However, the performance was more than enough for the Toros to claim a 71-50 win over visiting Cal State Monterey Bay Thursday night.
CSUDH, winners of five straight, improves to 8-6 overall and 6-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Monay Lee dropped 18 points and was just two shy from her season high. She also finished with five rebounds and four assists. Imari Brown contributed to 14 points while Breanne Garcia rounded out the Toros in double figures with a dozen.
Here's Brown's comments following tonight's contest:
Anandi Jimenez collected eight of the Toros 45 boards to lead that category.
The Toros compiled a 48.3 shooting percentage, the highest percentage they reached the half century mark since playing the Academy of Art in November.
Courtney Keaton was the only Otter (6-7, 2-4 CCAA) to reach double figures, collecting a dozen points along with eight boards. Alexa Sperling also went to the glass eight times.
The Otters finished the night shooting 29 percent from the floor.
Lee and Garcia quickly ignited the Toros with a 19-4 run as the senior duo combined for 11 points. CSUDH went on to take a 30-11 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
Despite the offensive burst in the first quarter, the Toros had trouble finding buckets in the second. The Otters won that round 10-9 but the Toros went into the locker room leading 39-21. CSUDH shot 51.7 percent from the floor in the half.
The Toros, once again, had trouble finding a rhythm in the third quarter as the Otters outscored them 15-14.
CSUDH would open an 11-2 run at the start of the fourth quarter that eventually put the contest out of CSUMB's reach.
The Toros made 12 baskets in the first period but made 16 in the other three quarters.
The Toros will use Friday to travel across the state to Rohnert Park for a matchup with Sonoma State Saturday. In fact, it will be the first time CSUDH leaves Southern California this season. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m.
