SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – In their closely contested battle against the Cal State LA Golden Eagles, the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros ultimately fell with a final score of 73-75.
 
With this loss, the Toros head into the NCAA Div. II West Region tournament with an overall record of 22-7. The Toros will make their return to the tournament for the first time in 13 years and for the first time with coach Steve Becker at the helm of the men's basketball program. 
 
Despite trailing 41-32 at halftime, the Toros rallied in the second half, outscoring their opponents 41-34, but couldn't quite bridge the gap to secure the win.
 
During the first half, the Toros managed to hit 44.44% of their field goals (8-18) and converted 2-6 attempts from beyond the arc, amounting to a 33.33% success rate. Their free-throw shooting was solid, with a 73.68% conversion rate (14-19), reflecting their ability to capitalize on foul opportunities. However, Cal State LA built a significant lead during this period, setting a challenging pace for the Toros.
 
In response, the second half saw the Toros elevating their game significantly. They improved their field goal shooting to an impressive 53.57% (15-28) and increased their three-point shooting accuracy to 36.36% (4-11). Although their free-throw percentage slightly decreased to 70.00% (7-10), their overall offensive output surged, enabling them to narrow the gap against Cal State LA.
 
Jeremy Dent-Smith delivered a standout performance, leading the scoring for the Toros with an impressive 29 points. He was efficient from the field, shooting 8-13, including a remarkable 4-6 from three-point range. Dent-Smith was flawless at the free-throw line, sinking all nine of his attempts. Beyond scoring, he contributed two rebounds, two assists, and showcased his defensive skills with two blocks, underlining his all-around impact on the game.
 
Jakob Alamudun also made significant contributions, scoring 18 points on 6-11 shooting. Alamudun excelled at the free-throw line, making 6-8 attempts. His presence was felt across the board with seven rebounds, and an assist.
 
Alex Garcia added 10 points, including 2-4 from three-point territory, and contributed six rebounds and three assists, highlighting his role as a key player in both the offensive and defensive strategies of the Toros. Andre Ball and DJ Guest also made their marks, with Ball grabbing eight rebounds alongside his six points and Guest adding four points and two rebounds to the team's tally.
 
The Toros learn their fate this Sunday, March 10^th as their seed in the NCAA Div. II West Region tournament which begins Friday, March 15^th.