CARSON – Malcolm Johnson scored 18 points and Colten Kresl added 14 but a struggling first-half proved to be the difference in the game as the Cal State Dominguez Hills dropped an 82-64 decision to Chico State Friday night to split the season series.
 
Despite shooting 38.5 percent from the field in the first half, the Toros (8-14, 5-10 CCAA) didn't get the opportunities on the free throw line they would have wanted, making only two trips to the line. On the other end of the floor, the Wildcats (13-5, 10-4 CCAA) reached 40.6 percent in field goal range in addition to going 12-for-18 on the charity stripe.
 
An 18-point run in favor of the Wildcats sent the Toros to the locker room trailing 42-24.
 
The Toros were awarded more opportunities on the free throw line in the second half, going 15-for-18. The Wildcats also capitalized on the line, making all but one of their 22 chances.
 
Chico State's Isaiah Ellis scored 24 points on the evening to best the 19 that he scored in the last meeting at Acker Gymnasium on New Year's Eve. Jalen McFerren also dropped in 24 points in his only appearance in the series.
 
While the Toros grabbed 31 boards, they did hold one of the top rebounding teams in the CCAA to 41.
 
Dominguez Hills will have short rest to prepare for another rematch with Humboldt State Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Jacks came away with a 73-68 win over the Toros in Arcata last month.