CARSON – In a riveting contest that pushed both teams to their limits, the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros defeated the Sonoma State Seawolves 73-64, thanks in large part to the standout performances of their key players and a dramatic last-second three-point shot by Jeremy Dent-Smith that sent the game into overtime.

With this win, the Toros remain in first place in the CCAA conference with an overall record of 21-4 and CCAA record of 16-3. The Seawolves fall to overall 13-12 and 9-10 in CCAA play.

Prior to the game starting, the Toros recognized seniors Jamal Howard, Jacob Washington, Jakob Alamudun, Andre Ball, and Alex Garcia. 


  
The game was tightly contested from the start, with the Toros establishing a slight edge by the end of the first half, leading 26-20. The second half saw both teams ramping up their efforts, but the Toros managed to maintain their lead despite the Seawolves scoring 36 points to the Toros' 30, pushing the game into overtime.
 
At halftime we had the honor of being joined by Harry Turner, George Polk, CCAA Hall of Fame coach Dave Yanai, and more Toros alumni.


 
In the overtime period, Cal State Dominguez Hills took control, outscoring Sonoma State 17-8. This decisive performance in the extra period secured the Toros a hard-fought victory. The win was a testament to the team's resilience and ability to perform under pressure, showcasing their strategic play and determination.

"What a game!" said coach Steve Becker. "Sonoma's defense was really hard to play against all game, so credit to them. Jeremy made huge shots and guys rallied behind him and we were able to pull away in OT. I was really happy with our defensive effort, particularly from Alex Garcia and the heart he played with. We've got a tough road trip ahead of us as we prepare to play in the toughest place to play in the CCAA, at Chico on Thursday."
 
Jakob Alamudun scored 15 points, capitalizing on his time on the floor with a 34-minute appearance. His effort on both ends of the court contributed four rebounds and two assists to his team's victory.
 
Andre Ball also played a pivotal role, adding 14 points for the Toros. His shooting from beyond the arc (2-5) and presence on the court for 33 minutes helped keep the team in contention throughout the regular game time.
 
Jeremy Dent-Smith  came in clutch for the Toros, scoring 16 points, including a breathtaking three-pointer at the buzzer to force overtime. Dent-Smith's heroics didn't stop at scoring; he also led the team with seven assists and pulled down seven rebounds, showcasing his all-around game.
 
Za-Ontay Boothman contributed significantly as well, netting 12 points, with his sharpshooting from the three-point line (4-7) proving crucial for the Toros' offense.
 
Alex Garcia and Jacob Washington each added 8 points, with Garcia also making significant contributions on defense with two steals and a block, alongside facilitating the offense with four assists.
 
Overall, the Toros showed a balanced team effort with contributions across the board. Their resilience and ability to perform under pressure were on full display, culminating in a thrilling overtime victory that was sparked by Dent-Smith's last-second heroics.
 
The Toros are on the road next week as they take on Chico State Thursday, February 22^nd with tip-off set for 7:30pm.