HAYWARD, Calif. -- No. 5 seed Cal State Dominguez Hills led No. 1 seed Cal State East Bay by two points with 3:17 left in regulation, but the host Pioneers used an 14-2 run over that final 3:17 stretch to take a 76-67 decision and move on the NCAA West Region Championship game on Monday.
Dasean Stevens poured in a team-high 19 points that included a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line.
The Toros end their 2025-26 campaign with an overall 22-9 record after giving the No. 2 team in the nation everything it could handle.
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CSUDHÂ managed to out-stat the Pioneers in field goal percentage (39.7 to 36.9), 3-point percentage (23.5 to 13.3) and free throw percentage (94.4 to 72.7), but CSUEB used a huge +13 advantage in rebounds including 12 more on the offensive end to eventually put the Toros away.
The game saw seven ties and 13 lead changes, with neither team's largest lead reaching double figures.
CSUEB's bench outscored the Toro bench 31 to 9 and managed a 6 to 2 edge in blocks, leading to an 18 to 2 advantage in fastbreak points.
The Toros took a 38-36 lead into the locker room after holding the Pios to just 32.4% from the floor while shooting 48.3% themselves, including 3-of-6 from 3-point land and 7-of-8 from the foul line.
The Pioneers began to take charge in the second half, scoring five-straight to take a 41-38 edge at the 18:39 mark, and clinging to a 44-42 lead a minute later after a pair of free throws by
Josiah Sanders.
Stevens then hit a triple after a
Jalen Brown steal to give CSUDH a 45-44 lead at the 16:54 mark, a position they would enjoy for the next 13:37 of play.
After a pair of Pio free throws tied the game at 65-all at the 2:55 mark, the Toros misfired on three attempts and committed a costly turnover and, coupled with four-consecutive baskets by the hosts over the next 2:20, brought CSUEB's lead to 74-65, all but putting the game away in the eventual 76-67 final.
Sanders added 15 points and nine boards, while
David Cheatom chipped in with 10 points in his final game in Cardinal and Gold.
The 2026-27 squad will return a bevy of experienced and talented players, led by 1st-team All-Region selection in Brown.
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