Toros Women Cannot Stop Lions Second-Half Surge
Vanguard outscores CSUDH by 21 in second half for the 62-60 win
December 14, 2002

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.- It was a tale of two halves. The Cal State Dominguez Hills women's basketball team was looking to make it two straight wins as they took on the visiting Lions of Vanguard University in a non-conference game at the Torodome.

The Lions had a slight edge going into tonight's contest as they had played ten games, compared to just three for the Toros. But it did not look that way in the first half. The Toros were composed and consistent on both offense and defense, making timely shots, while forcing Lion turnovers.

Things would start off well as Tameka Blue nailed one from deep to put CSUDH on the board first. The Toros worked well from both the inside and outside. Senior center Kendra Tease, in her first game of the new season, was dominant inside. She made for many second chance points with tough rebounding and consistent shooting. The guards would create many opportunities for Tease, as they distributed the ball well in the first half. They also were able to create scoring from the outside as the duo of Blue and freshman Teresa Cooper would hit shots from deep.

The defense of the Toros would force the Lions into turnovers, 14 alone in the first set of 20. The Toros would hold the lead the entire half, behind the 12 points of Tease and the 10 chipped in by Cooper. Vanguard was led by Courtney McKinney who would put up 10 in the Lions effort. The Toros would enjoy a 19-point lead going into the locker room at the half.

But Vanguard would not go away. They came out into the second half with determination. They held the Toros at 43 for the first five minutes, as they outscored CSUDH 12-0. The Toros looked out of sync, as this time they were the ones turning the ball over, and missing easy shots. CSUDH would be forced to call a timeout at 14:05 after a 17-point run.

Sophomore Keesha Aldridge was finally able to end the scoring drought for the Toros, as she beat three Lions to put in the lay-up. A three-pointer by Lion Jessica Lenderman would bring Vanguard to within one 44-45. The Lions were playing as if they had nothing to loose. The Toros who had eight turnovers in the first half, had seven within the first eight minutes of play. CSUDH seemed unable to break through the swarming defense of the Lions. The Toros who were confident on the boards in the first seemed unable to box out the Lions.

VU would tie the game up at 52 apiece with nine minutes remaining and at that point the momentum was all with VU. The Lions would take the 54-52 lead off a basket by McKinney, and the Toros were forced into "catch-up mode." A big basket by Tease and a steal by Cooper, followed by a Lion foul would send Cooper to the stripe with the 55-54 lead. She was only able to connect on one as the Toros took back the one-bucket lead.

With under two minutes left and the score tied at 60 apiece, CSUDH was forced into a turnover and a ten foot jumper by Jennifer Wilcox would tilt the game in favor of VU 62-60. That would be the final score as despite Toros efforts, Vanguard was able to hold onto the second half surge and leave the Torodome with the win.

The Toros shot a poor 31% in the second half, as they made only six baskets, compared to the 12 of 22 buckets made by the Lions.

Paulette Seaman and Robbin Dittenbir would come alive in the second half and finish with 11 and 10 points, respectively. McKinney would end the contest with a game-high 18 points.

Kendra Tease had a team-high 17 points for CSUDH, while Blue and Cooper also scored in double-figures.

The Toros are now 2-2 overall while Vanguard improves to 7-4.