CARSON – Reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association Freshman of the Year
Alex Garcia scored 11 points including a clutch 3-point shot in the end that elevated Cal State Dominguez Hills' men's basketball team to a 65-64 win over Dominican to open the three-day Toro Thanksgiving Classic at the Torodome on a rare Monday evening.
Trailing by two with 8.9 seconds left,
Wonder Smith inbounded the ball from the top of the key to
Colten Kresl who tried to find an open shot but was covered well. Instead he found an open Garcia in the right corner pocket who hit the shot that lifted the Toros.
The Toros, who had started the season 0-2, have won their fifth straight since then while keeping the Penguins winless after four attempts, all against the CCAA.
Kresl rebounded from an off night in Turlock Saturday and scored 15 points against the Penguins,
Armstrong Ojunkwu had a dozen coming off the bench and Smith contributed with 11. The Toros as a team finished the night shooting 46 percent while holding the Penguins to 43 percent.
It was also a dominating night on the glass for Dominguez Hills, which outrebounded Dominican 35-23. Smith and Ojunkwu each had eight to lead the Toros.
Dominican's leading scorer, Jaelen Ragsdale, scored 18 points to lead the effort.
Neither side had a double-digit lead. The Toros had the largest lead in the game, which was seven early into the second period.
The Toros will get to watch the Penguins play Purdue Northwest Tuesday before taking on the Pride Wednesday at 3 p.m. Purdue Northwest is in its first year as a full member of NCAA Division II after transitioning from the NAIA three years ago.
