CHICO – The Cal State Dominguez Hills men's basketball team could not find any offensive momentum at the start of the second half and it proved to be costly as Chico State ran away from the Toros 87-67 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play at Acker Gymnasium Thursday evening.
 
The Toros have lost two straight to fall 7-6 overall and 5-3 in the conference. Chico, meanwhile, snaps a two-game skid to improve to 5-5 overall and 4-5 in the CCAA. The two teams will meet again at the Torodome on February 23, the Toros final home game of the regular season.
 
TOP PERFORMERS
Andrew Whitsett – 17 points, 4 rebounds, 5-for-6 free throws
David Howard – 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Wonder Smith – 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
 
WHAT HAPPENED?
- The Toros had never led in the game. They trailed by as many as 12 in the first half and had their worked their way to tie the game at 22 points apiece with seven minutes left. The Toros went without a field goal in the final 2:18 and the Wildcats went on an 11-1 run to take a 45-34 lead into intermission.
- The difference in the game came in the first nine minutes of the second half, when the Toros were outscored 24-7 to fall behind 69-41.
- Andrew Whitsett, who hails from nearby Hamilton City and played at Butte College before transferring to CSUDH last summer, and David Howard combined for 33 points off the bench. They were the only individuals to reach double figures. It was another forgettable night for the Toro starters as the totaled 24 points.
- On a positive note, the Toros did shoot 49 percent (23-for-47) from the field while making 16 of their 20 free throws.
- Chico hit a 53.4 shoot percentage (31-for-58), with 13 of those baskets coming from 3-point line.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
The Toros drive further north to Arcata for a Saturday night matchup at Humboldt State. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.