CARSON - Cal State Dominguez Hills closed out the final two minutes with a 10-3 run to defeat Chico State in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women's basketball action by a final score of 79-71, Friday at the Torodome.
 
The Toros (10-10, 8-7 CCAA) remain in sixth and pull within a half game of fourth place, where the Wildcats (10-8, 8-6 CCAA) are tied with Cal State East Bay.
 
Nautica Morrow led CSUDH with 24 points, six rebounds, two assists and three steals. Zhane Carter pitched in 18 points, making five 3-pointers in the process. Paradise Hanchett nearly came away with a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.
 
The Wildcats grabbed the momentum to start, taking a 14-point lead, 20-6, with 2:25 left in the first quarter. The Toros went on a 16-3 run from there, capped off by a Heaven Holmes steal and dish to Taylor Farris for the fastbreak layup. The basket cut the margin to one, 23-22, with a little less than six minutes left in the half. The Wildcats responded and didn't relinquish their advantage as CSUDH went into halftime trailing 40-32.
 
The Toros seized the game in the third and outscored Chico State 19-11 in the period, aided by three  3-pointers from Carter as both teams went into the final 10 minutes deadlocked, 51-51.
 
Trailing by two, 66-64, with four minutes remaining, CSUDH evened the score and took the lead for good on Morrow's successful layup and one free throw. Morrow's play ignited a 15-5 run as the Toros prevailed by eight.
 
CSUDH will host Humboldt State on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. for its next contest.