Toros Women Lose 65-62 Thriller to Aggies
For the second game in a row, CSUDH loses heartbreaker to CCAA opponent
February 1, 2002

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.- Not only was the Cal State Dominguez hills women's basketball team looking to stop a four game losing streak tonight, they were also looking to erase the memory of last Saturday night's 74-75 loss to crosstown rival Cal State LA. They could do neither. And this time, there was more of a sting, as they lost to UCD 62-65.

UC Davis, 13-5 overall and 9-4 in CCAA, was the favorite, and came out that way leading almost the entire first half. But the determined Toros stayed close, shooting well from the floor at 45%. The Aggies would built an eight point lead at the 8:57 mark but CSUDH would go on a 11-4 run to tie up the game at 23. After that, the Aggies never got ahead by anymore than two and with eight ticks left in the first 20, Monique Marquez stepped up big and nailed one from downtown, to give the Toros a three point lead going into the locker room.

The story of the first half however was the foul situation. The Toros had only four trips to the line in the first 20, while the Aggies shot from the charity stripe 21 times, connecting on 14 of those attempts.

In the second half, there was a change for both teams. In the first 20, each team shot consistently, the Toros 45% and the Aggies 53%. But in the second, each team was an identical 9 of 24 (37%) from the field. In fact, there was no scoring from 7:07 remaining, with the Toros ahead 55-53 until the 2:49 mark, when two hit free throws by senior Toro Tracee Lewis ended the drought.

The game was tied at 60 apiece with 36 ticks remaining, until Aggie Janae Henning converted from the line to bring UCD ahead by two.

With time winding down, senior Fercia Rambacal took the ball into the middle and came up with two to tie the game at 62 with 8 seconds left. UCD took possession and quickly moved the ball down the court, with no time remaining Shea Purkiss was wide open and nailed a three pointer to give the Aggies a 65-62 win and the Toros their fifth straight loss in the CCAA.

The Toros had a strong showing from Monique Marquez who was a perfect three of three from downtown and poured in a team-leading 13 points. Adriana Mendez was another bright spot tonight. The guard dumped in 11 points, while Lewis finished out the three Toros scoring in double figures with 10.

The Aggies were led by Janae Henning who led all players with 27 points, while Shea Purkiss added 25. Purkiss was five of six from long range on the night.

CSUDH fell to 5-12 on the season and 3-10 in CCAA action. Next up for the Toros is Chico State tomorrow night at 5:30 pm in the Torodome.