SEASIDE, Calif. – With their eighth win in a row, the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros remain atop the CCAA conference with an 83-82 victory over the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters.
 
With this win, the Toros remain in first place in the CCAA conference with an overall record of 17-3 and CCAA record of 12-2. The Otters drop to overall 6-13 and 4-10 in CCAA play.
 
The Toros came out strong, establishing a 41-27 lead by halftime. Their offense clicked on all cylinders, distributing the ball effectively and finding open shots against the Otters' defense. This early dominance set the tone, but the game was far from over.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay turned the tables in the second half, outscoring the Toros 55-42. The Otters' offense awakened, as they chipped away at the lead, showcasing their resilience and determination. Their second-half surge was fueled by aggressive play and sharpshooting, putting the Toros' lead in jeopardy.
 
The first half was a showcase of the Toros' offensive efficiency. They connected on 13 of their 24 field goal attempts, an impressive 54.17% shooting accuracy. From beyond the arc, the Toros were even more effective, hitting 8 of 14 three-point attempts, translating to a remarkable 57.14%. Their proficiency at the free-throw line was also notable, with a success rate of 87.50% (7-8). This combined shooting efficiency allowed them to build a substantial 41-27 lead by halftime.
 
In the second half, the Otters mounted a fierce comeback, outscoring the Toros 55-42. Despite this, the Toros' shooting cooled slightly but remained competitive. They shot 47.83% from the field (11-23). Free throws became even more critical in the second half, with the Toros attempting 25 but converting 17, for a 68.00% success rate. These figures were essential in maintaining their slender lead, despite the Otters' relentless pressure.
 
Overall, Cal State Dominguez Hills finished the game shooting 51.1% from the field and 50.0% from three-point range, showcasing their offensive capabilities. Their free-throw percentage for the game stood at 72.7%.
 
Jeremy Dent-Smith led the way for the Toros, notching 22 points in 32 minutes on the floor. Dent-Smith was efficient from the field, shooting 6-11, including 2-4 from beyond the arc, and excelled at the free-throw line, converting 8 of 11 attempts. He also contributed significantly across the board with seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.
 
Za-Ontay Boothman emerged as a significant contributor off the bench, scoring 21 points in 20 minutes. Boothman was on fire from deep, hitting 4 of 7 three-point attempts and was perfect from the free-throw line, sinking all seven of his shots. His scoring burst provided the Toros with a much-needed offensive spark.
 
Jakob Alamudun also played a crucial role in the Toros' victory, adding 18 points and grabbing three rebounds. Alamudun's performance was highlighted by his shooting accuracy, as he went 6-10 from the field, alongside making 5 of 8 free throws.
 
 
Alex Garcia and DJ Guest offered solid support, with Garcia scoring seven points, including two crucial three-pointers, and Guest adding six points and leading the team in rebounds with eight.
 
The Toros continue their road trip as they take on Stanislaus State (6-14;3-11) in Turlock on Saturday, February 3^rd with tipoff set for 3pm.