CHICO -  In its biggest win of the season, the Cal State Dominguez Hills men's basketball team dominated first-place Chico State, winning by a final score of 81-63 in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matchup, Sunday at Acker Gymnasium. CSUDH had not won at Acker Gymnasium since the 2011-12 season. The Wildcats came in as winners of 14 of their last 15 home games. It was also Chico State's worst loss since the 2012-13 season. 
 
The Toros improve to 7-9 overall and 4-5 in conference play. The Wildcats drop to 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the CCAA.
 
Senior Jonathan Nichols scored a team-high 19 points and four assists to lead the Toros. Deondre Otis, Glenn Baral and Matt Hayes pitched in 14, 13 and 11 points, respectively. Otis, Nichols and Ralph Agee each had five rebounds. CSUDH outrebounded Chico State 32-26 on the boards and shot a season-best 70 percent (14-20) from behind the arc.
 
The Wildcats scored first and held a brief 3-0 advantage. It was their only lead of the contest as a 3-pointer and two free throws from Nichols gave the Toros the lead for good with 14:24 remaining before halftime.
 
Holding a 32-26 advantage, CSUDH closed the final 1:36 of the first half on a 10-0 run, capped off by a Baral trey at the buzzer. Baral only had 0.6 seconds to catch-and-shoot the 3-pointer on the inbound pass and gave the Toros a 42-26 advantage at halftime.
 
CSUDH kept its foot on the pedal in the second half and increased the margin to 27 points, 77-50, on two free throws by Nichols with 4:51 left. The Toros would cruise the rest of the way to prevail by 18.
 
CSUDH will make the short trip to Cal State LA for their next matchup on Saturday, Jan. 6. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.