TURLOCK -- The force was with Cal State Dominguez Hills sophomore
Luke Lin as he scored 18 of his game-high 20 points in the second half to lead the Toros to a come-from-behind win over host Stanislaus State after trailing by as many as nine points after intermission.
The 6'2 guard drained 7-of-10 of his shots from the floor and all five of his free throw attempts while adding six rebounds, three assists and three steals to his statline.
Having clinched a berth in the CCAA postseason last Saturday, the Toros assured themselves of finishing the regular season in second place with the win, now sitting 4.0 games ahead of third-place Cal Poly Humboldt with just three games left in the regular season.
The Toros were held to just 40.6% shooting from the floor and 14.3% from 3-point land, but used eight more offensive rebounds, seven more steals and seven less turnovers to translate into an 18 to 12 edge in points off turnovers and even larger 19 to 7 advantage in fastbreak scores.
Neither team shot well from the foul line, with the Toros hitting 67.9% and the Warriors even lower at 66.7%.
Already facing a 28-24 halftime deficit, the Toros were outscored 11-6 in the opening minutes of the second half, training 39-30 at the 16:46 mark.
With the Warriors still leading by nine three minutes later, Lin scored the Toros' next eight points, the final four coming after draining a deep triple, getting fouled, and converting the free throw to pull CSUDH to within three at 48-45 at the 12:13 mark.
Spurred by the Lin's "force," the Toros took their first lead of the second half after Lin stole the ball, was found, and hit both free throws for a 65-64 lead with 3:20 left in regulation.
Down 69-68,
Dasean Stevens converted two free throws and hit a jumper after a Warrior turnover, prompting a Stan State time out with CSUDH leading 72-69.
Lin stepped up again, converting his third and final steal of the game which led to a
JJ Mitchell basket and the game's final tally.
Stevens added 13, with reigning CCAA Athlete of the Week
David Cheatom contributing 12 in the win. Mitchell scored 11 and
Josiah Sanders 10 to give the Toros five players in double-figure scoring.
The Toros travel to UC Merced on Saturday for their final road game of the regular season, with tipoff set for 3 pm.
