Women's Basketball Has Second Half Meltdown Friday Night in the Torodome
Gators outscore the Toros 30-16 in the second half to roll to 61-51 victory
January 17, 2003

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.- Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde made an appearance in the Torodome tonight, as the Toros suffered a 61-51 CCAA setback to the visiting Gators of San Francisco State. The loss drops the Toros to 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the CCAA, while the Gators improve to 7-5 overall and 3-4 in conference action with the win on the road.

Things started off right for CSUDH, as they went on a 7-0 run to begin the game. In fact, the Toros led by as much as ten after junior guard Monique Marquez (Rialto, CA/Eisenhower HS) nailed one from deep to put the Toros on top 33-23.

Although CSUDH wasn't shooting well in the first half, only 33%, defense was their story. They were able to force 20 Gator turnovers. Marquez took the ball away four times, with eight of ten Toros posting at least one steal or more. Freshman guard Teresa Cooper (Simi Valley, CA/Simi Valley HS) continued her dominance from beyond the arc. Cooper, who is leading the Toros in three point shooting on the season, connected on 3 of 6 attempts. She had a team-leading 11 points in the first half for CSUDH, as the Toros were holding onto a 35-31 lead as the teams took to the locker rooms for the half.

Then, Ms. Hyde made her debut.

It took until the 9:30 mark for the Toros to get their first field goal. SFSU went on a 12-1 run, before DeLaney Turner (Fremont, CA/Santa Barbara CC) was able to drive the baseline and convert on the play. After the first 15 minutes of play in the second half, CSUDH scored only five points. Their low 33% first-half field goal percentage dropped to an even lower 23%.

The Gators took the lead at the 12:34 mark and kept it to the final buzzer, leading by as much as 13 with 0:46 remaining on the clock.

The Gators outscored the Toros 30-16 in the second half.

Jennifer Kutz dominated the boards for SFSU. After pulling down seven in the first half, the senior center went hard to the glass to finish off the night with 13 rebounds. She was also the top scorer in the contest, with 18 points.

SFSU was consistent, converting on 50% of their attempts, compared to the Toros who shot a season-low 29% from the floor.

Cooper led the Toros in scoring on the night with 14, 11 of those coming in the first half. Tameka Blue (Watsonville, CA/Santa Cruz HS) made it into double-figure scoring pouring in ten points.

CSUDH did get a strong appearance on the glass tonight by senior Nakeisha Perkins. (Tarzana, CA/Grant HS) Perkins pulled down 13 boards in CSUDH's effort.

The Toros will look to rebound tomorrow night when they take on the Seawolves of Sonoma State University. First tip is slated for 5:30 p.m.