Poole Leads Toros to Overtime Thriller over Chico State, 89-86
Jacob Poole pours in 30 points for the second night in a row to lead CSUDH to fourth win in a row
February 2, 2002

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.-Cal State Dominguez Hills got a career-high 30 points from Jacob Poole for the second night in a row as the senior guard led the Toros to an 89-86 overtime California Collegiate Athletic Association conference victory over Chico State tonight in the Torodome. The win gives CSUDH their first 4-game win streak since the 1995-96 season.

Chico State took a two-point lead into the intermission 49-47 shooting a blazing 66% from the field. Freshman Scott Land connected on five 3-pointers for 17 points in the first half while Jason Van Eck went into the break with 14 points.

The Wildcats led by as many as 13 points in the first period but CSUDH went on a 20-7 run to tie the game 35-35 on a Poole three-pointer with 5:13 left in the half.

Both team would trade baskets over the next two possessions before another Poole 3-pointer at 2:11 game the Toros a 45-43 lead. Two free throws by Kevin Blunt would give CSUDH a 47-43 lead at 1:06, but Chico would go on a 6-0 run to close out the half.

The Toros (7-12, 6-8 CCAA) tied the game 49-49 with the first basket of the second half but the Wildcats would begin a 9-2 run taking a 58-51 lead with 17:03 left in regulation. Over the next three minutes, CSUDH would trim the lead to 58-57 on a layup by Ernie Burries with 14:41 remaining.

The game would stay within three points over the next nine minutes before the Toros took the lead 71-70 on a three-point basket by Justin Goree with 5:57 on the clock.

Chico would tie the game 73-73 on a long-range shot by Land but CSUDH regained the lead on a pair of free throws by Earl Rowland taking a 75-73 lead at 3:25. After a free throw by Blunt and another 3-pointer from Goree gave the Toros a four point lead at 2:15, the Wildcat defense would hold Cal State Dominguez Hills to one point over the final 2+ minutes.

With an 80-77 lead, Chico inbounded the ball with 4.8 seconds left and Ben Perak ran the distance of the court and nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Kevin Blunt got a put-back on an offensive rebound to give the Toros a 82-80 lead at 3:36. Chico tied the game in their next possession on a layup by Will Bonner making it 82-82.

The Wildcats took the lead 83-82 on a free throw by Bonner but Earl Rowland would drive through the paint and score on a layup to give them back the lead 84-83 with 2:15 left. Jon Henderson gave Chico the lead for the last time 85-84 on an 8-foot jumper with 2:03 on the clock.

After a missed basket and two missed free throws by Chico's Henderson, Jacob Poole was fouled and converted both of this charity shots to give CSUDH the lead for good 86-85 with :23-seconds left. On the inbounds, Poole would steal the ball and was fouled sending him to the line where he converted both free throws with :12-seconds remaining to seal the win.

Poole led everyone with a game-high 30 points and 9 assists. It was the second night in a row that the senior guard scored 30 points after pouring in 30 last night in the Toros 76-70 win over UC Davis. Freshman Earl Rowland came off the bench to score 19 points on 8-16 shooting from the floor. Kevin Blunt came close to a double-double with 17 points and a game-high 9 rebounds. Justin Goree chipped in with 12 points while hitting two crucial three-point baskets in the game for the Toros.

Chico State (5-14, 3-11 CCAA) was led by Scott Land with 26 points. Land was 6-11 from beyond the 3-point arc. Jason Van Eck followed with 22 points while Will Bonner chipped in with 12 points. Land and Ed Washington led the Wildcats with 8 rebounds each.

The Toros continue their 5-game homestand next weekend hosting Cal Poly Pomona on Friday, February 8. First tip is set for 7:30 p.m.