MERCED, Calif. -- The Cal State Dominguez Hills women's basketball team suffered its first setback in almost a month after an 81-72 defeat at UC Merced, despite a team-high 17-point effort by Anela Thomas that included 8-for-11 from the free throw line.

The loss, the first since a 78-65 setback against crosstown-rival Cal State L.A., drops the Toros to 11-14 overall and 11-9 in CCAA play. 

CSUDH sits in 5th place in the CCAA standings with two games left in the regular season, just 1.0 games ahead of both Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State San Bernardino, with the three teams fighting for the final two berths to qualify for the league postseason tournament.

After playing the Bobcats tough on the "Senior Day" and trailing by just 33-31 entering the half, UC Merced outscored the Toros 28-13 in the third period, shooting 60% compared to just 33.3% for the CSUDH. 

The hosts also won the battle of the boards in the period by five, leading for all but 41 seconds in the frame in taking a 61-44 lead after three quarters.

The Toros forged a valiant effort to get back into the game in the fourth quarter after Jada Sanders connected on a 3-pointer and A'moree Ferrel connected, giving CSUDH the first five points in the frame to cut their deficit to just 61-49, with a Zanna Hurst 3-pointer cutting the UCM lead to just eight at 64-56 at the 6:53 mark.

A Bryanne-Lopez-Wood bucket after a Bobcat turnover seemed to drape all momentum in Cardinal an Gold, but Merced answered by pushing its lead to 72-62 four minutes later. 

Camryn Washington hit a 3-pointer to give the Toros hope with 54 seconds left to bring them to within 76-70, but Merced hit five of their final six free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

The Toros' free throw struggles again emerged as CSUDH missed nine of its 20 attempts (55%) in the loss.

Ferrel chipped in 12 points and Lopez-Wood 11, with Luv'lee Sadler pulling down a team-high seven boards.

CSUDH completes its regular season at home next week, beginning with No. 9 Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday at 5:30 pm.
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