Toros Pull Off Big Win to Upset Visiting Roadrunners
CSUDH outscores CSUB in second half to give them 67-61 upset
March 1, 2002

CARSON, Calif.- The Cal State Dominguez Hills women's basketball team pulled off its greatest win of the season and quite possibly the biggest upset in recent history tonight. As the 6-18, 4-16 Toros were facing their second to last game of the season with the 21-4, 5-16 Roadrunners, the Toros took the court with nothing to lose and played without pressure to a 67-61 defeat of one of the top teams in the CCAA.

The first half was sloppy ball on both ends. Neither team could hold on to the ball and combined for 24 turnovers. Neither team was strong from the floor. CS Bakersfield was 8 of 22 (36%) while CSUDH was 10 of 35 (28%) from the field which had the makings for a slow scoring half. In fact, CSUB was the first team to hit double figures at ten, but that was 6:39 into the contest.

Heather Garay dominated the first 20 for the 'Runners as she was 5 of 12 from the field with a first-half high 13 points. Junior center Kendra Tease had an team-high eight points for the Toros who went into the locker room down by only three 26-29.

The second half opened with more fire for both squads. CSUB led for 12 minutes of the second twenty. CSUDH would come close and tie, but the 'Runners would always be able to answer the Toros charge. There were seven ties and five lead changes alone in the second half.

In the second, the Toros were without their top scorer senior guard Tracee Lewis who fouled out of the contest with seven minutes remaining. The 'Runner defense though kept Lewis to only two points on the night.

CSUDH had a strong performance from senior center Bryanna Norton. Norton, who has seen limited action this season, scored a season-best ten points, with eight of those coming in the final 20.

With under two minutes remaining on the clock, sophomore guard Monique Marquez nailed a 15 footer to put the Toros ahead 60-59. She then grabbed a steal and put in both free throws that followed from the 'Runner foul.

CSUDH would not give the ball up to the swarming CSUB defense and was able to connect from the charity stripe. The Toros defense held strong, not allowing a 'Runner basket in the final 1:30 of play.

The Toros were led by Tease, who posted a team-high 16 points, while Norton added ten. Junior Nakeisha Perkins was strong on the boards for the Toros tonight as she collected 14 boards.

Behind Perkins, the Toros were able to outrebound CSUB 51-36, with 21 offensive boards for 17 second chance points, compared to the five offensive boards from CSUB.

The 'Runners were led by Garay who had a game-high 25 points.

The 'Runners fell to 21-5 overall and 17-4 in CCAA action, while the Toros improved to 7-18 overall and 5-16 in CCAA play. They will be playing their last game of the 2001-02 season tomorrow night when they host CS Stanislaus. First tip is slated for 5:30.