LOS ANGELES –
Andrew Whitsett and
Colten Kresl both reached double figures in points and rebounds for double-doubles, but too many turnovers hurt the Cal State Dominguez Hills men's basketball team as the Toros were edged by crosstown rivals Cal State LA 65-64 at University Gym Saturday, marking the second straight game the Golden Eagles snuck a one-point win.
The Toros (9-11, 5-9 CCAA) broke a 62-point tie on a Whitsett dunk with 46 seconds left. Two Dominguez Hills fouls became costly, Ja'Sean Lewis made both free throws to tie the game and Shacquille Dawkins made 1-of-2 with seven seconds left to make it the difference in the game.
The miscues became costly for Dominguez Hills as the Golden Eagles scored 15 points off 19 Toro turnovers.
In a battle for the eighth and final spot to the CCAA Tournament next month, the loss puts the Toros one game behind the Golden Eagles with eight games remaining. However, with Cal State LA sweeping Dominguez Hills in both meetings this season, the Golden Eagles own the tiebreaker.
Kresl scored 21 points – marking the third time in four games he has reached 20 or more – while grabbing season-high 10 rebounds. Whitsett, meanwhile, scored a dozen and went to the glass 13 times. Both of them went 4-for-6 on the free throw line.
Alex Garcia contributed to 13 points and
Wonder Smith had 10 along with five assists and all three of the Toros steals.
Cal State LA saw three different players reach double figures in points, with Fard Muhammad scoring 14 to lead the Golden Eagles.
Both teams shot under 35 percent from the field while the Toros owned the boards with 56 rebounds comparing to the Golden Eagles' 25.
The Golden Eagles started the second half leading 32-27 and would build a 12-point lead just over two minutes into the period. The Toros did rally behind a 19-5 run in a span of eight minutes to take a 60-53 lead with under four to go. Cal State LA would return the favor with a 9-2 run that tied the game at 62 and setup the nail bitter.
After playing the last two weeks on the road, Dominguez Hills returns home Thursday to host Cal State East Bay at 7:30 p.m. The Pioneers blew out the Toros in Hayward back in December. East Bay has won three of its last four games.
