Toros Win Nail-Biter in CCAA Men's Basketball Opener over Cal State L.A., 53-52
Freshman Ryan Meilleur scores Toros final eight points to lead CSUDH to league-opening victory
December 5, 2002

Complete Box Score

Slide Show at game (Flash)

Ryan Meilleur in action against the Golden Eagles

CARSON, Calif.-Freshman center Ryan Meilleur (Lakewood, CA/Artesia HS) outscored Cal State L.A. 8-5 in the final three minutes of the game himself to lead Cal State Dominguez Hills to a 53-52 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) win Thursday night in the Toros league opener.

Senior forward Andre Brown (San Jose, CA) led CSUDH (2-1, 1-0 CCAA) with a game-high 17 points and eight rebounds. Meilleur came off the bench and knocked in 14 points on 6-8 shooting from the floor. Meilleur took over late in the game in the second half including eight in the final three minutes.

The Toros took a 24-18 lead into intermission after holding CSULA to 23% from the field (6-26) in the first half. Preseason NCAA II All-American and defending CCAA scoring champ Ronald Johnson was held to two points in the first half while making only 1-8 of his shots. Johnson finished with 11 points on 3-13 shooting from the floor.

Cal State L.A. (1-2, 0-1 CCAA) came out on a 12-5 run to open the second half to take its first lead of the game, 30-29, on a Nic Vavakin baseline jumper at 14:36. The Golden Eagles would stretch the lead to 34-29 after a free throw by Johnson at 13:21. But the Toros answered over the next four minutes and took the lead back, 38-37, on a three-point basket by senior forward Michael Crawford (Pacoima, CA/LA Valley College) with 9:23 left.

There would be four more lead changes over the next six minutes. With three minutes remaining, Meilleur's layup tied the game, 47-47. In the Toros next possession, Meilleur hit a short jumper to give CSUDH the lead for good. The 6-8 center would hit two key free throws in crunch time and add another basket with :20-seconds left on a jump-hook in the paint to seal the victory.

The victory was the third in a row over Cal State L.A. dating back to last season. It also marks the first league-opening win since the 1997-98 season when the Toros defeated UC Riverside in its CCAA opener.

In the game, CSUDH shot 45% from the field (23-51) and out-rebounded CSULA on the night, 33-32. The Golden Eagles could not overcome a cold shooting first half despite shooting 52% in the second period. Cal State L.A. finished making only 37% from the field (19-51) in the game.

Cal State L.A.'s Donnie Walker tied Johnson for the team lead in scoring with 11 points. LeMar Ruffin was also in double figures with 10 points while grabbing a team-high six rebounds.

Cal State Dominguez Hills is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 14 travelling to Cal State Monterey Bay. First tip is set for 8 PM.