BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Cal State Dominguez Hills men's basketball team claimed their first victory of the season, defeating Simon Fraser 80-74 in a tightly contested game at the West Gym on Saturday night. The Toros fought through nine ties and 15 lead changes, ultimately pulling ahead in the final minutes to secure the win.

Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, trading baskets until the scoreboard showed a 34-34 tie at halftime. Dominguez Hills kicked off the second half with back-to-back three-pointers from Jeremy Dent-Smith, pushing the Toros to an early six-point lead, 40-34, with just over 19 minutes remaining. 

Statistically, the Toros were led by DJ Guest and Dent-Smith, who each tallied 15 points. Guest shot an efficient 6-for-10 from the field and added five rebounds, while Dent-Smith knocked down three three-pointers and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the line. Key support came from Adam Afifi and David Cheatom, who each contributed 14 points off the bench, helping the Toros maintain momentum throughout the second half.

Simon Fraser kept it close, with their three-point shooting keeping them within reach, but the Toros' defensive pressure and ability to force turnovers ultimately made the difference. Late in the game, Cheatom hit a crucial three-pointer at 4:06 to extend the Toros' lead to 71-66. A few possessions later, Afifi's jumper at 6:16 pushed Dominguez Hills ahead by four, and they managed to hold onto the lead until the final buzzer.

The Toros' bench played a significant role, outscoring Simon Fraser's reserves 36-5. Dominguez Hills also displayed discipline from the free-throw line, converting 77% of their attempts to keep the edge.

With this win, Cal State Dominguez Hills (1-1) shifts its focus to the next matchup against Seattle Pacific on Monday, November 11, at 7:00 p.m. on the road.