SAN MARCOS - The Cal State Dominguez Hills women's basketball team fought hard, but ultimately fell to Cal State San Marcos by a final score of 75-69 in the first round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament, Tuesday at The Sports Center. The Toros finish the season with a 14-15 overall record. The Cougars improve to 18-9 and advance to the second round of the conference tournament.
 
TOP STATISTICAL PERFORMERS
Nautica Morrow 21 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal
Tylore Bell 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal
Zhane Carter 13 points
Ahlisha Henderson 13 points, 18 rebounds
 
WHAT HAPPENED?
- CSUSM grabbed the momentum early and took a five-point advantage, 20-15, at the end of the opening 10 minutes. Senior Nautica Morrow and junior Ahlisha Henderson combined for 11 of the 15 Toro points in the first quarter.
- CSUDH briefly cut the margin to one point, 22-21, on a 3-pointer from senior Zhane Carter before the Cougars stretched it to eight, 42-34, at halftime. Morrow talled 14 points at the end of the first two periods.
- The Toros cut the gap to five points, 45-40, after a successful and-one by Henderson, but CSUSM responded and took their biggest lead of the game, 57-45, with 1:45 left in the third quarter. CSUDH trailed 57-47 with 10 minutes left.
- Two quick baskets, a layup from Henderson and a 3-pointer from Carter, to open the final period made it a five-point game for CSUDH, 57-52. The Toros tried to pick away at the Cougar lead and got to as close as four with 38 seconds left on Morrow's basket, but it was too little too late as the Cougars sank their free throws and prevailed by six.
 
TORO NOTES
- Henderson finished with her fourth straight and 13th double-double of the season. She ends the season averaging 10.0 rebounds per game.
- Morrow's 21 points upped her season average to 13.9 points per game.