Tameka Blue Ties CSUDH Single-Game Assist Record in Leading Toros to 74-56 Victory Over Point Loma
Sophomore sensation's 15 assists and 10 points help keep Toros undefeated
December 9, 2003

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills sophomore Tameka Blue (Watsonville, CA/Santa Cruz HS) dished a game-high 15 assists, tying the CSUDH single-game assist record, while Zipporah Chase (Los Angeles, CA/Carson HS) tallied a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds as the Toros remained undefeated in the new season, besting Point Loma Nazarene 74-56 on Tuesday night at the Torodome.

CSUDH improves to a perfect 4-0, 1-0 on the season for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign, while PLNU falls to 3-4.

The Toros jumped out quickly on the visiting Sea Lions, taking a comfortable 7-0 in the first three minutes of play. After the Sea Lions scored their first bucket at the 16:26 mark, CSUDH outscored the visitors 6-2 to take a commanding 13-4 advantage. Octavia Askew (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham HS) led the Toros in the first half, tallying eight of her 15 points, while Blue dished eight of her assists in the first 20 minutes of play.

PLNU would battle back and eventually take the lead with just over four minutes left in the first frame, but two buckets by Chase and a three-pointer by Blue gave momentum back to the Toros as they entered the locker room with a 29-23 edge.

After intermission, the Toros came out on fire, outscoring PLNU 17-6 in the first five minutes to take a comfortable 46-29 lead. Lindsay Peloza (Alisa Viejo, CA/Saddleback JC) and Crystal Maciel (Los Angeles, CA/Los Angeles, CC) had the hot hands for CSUDH, each sinking a deep three-pointer in the run. Chase followed suit as she scored 15 of her 19 points in the second 20-minute span, pushing the Toro lead to 63-41 with 6:34 remaining in the contest.

Blue continued to find open shooters, tallying seven assists after intermission, and hit a few buckets for good measure, with one of her two three-pointers finding the bottom of the net at the 3:54 mark, giving the Toros their biggest advantage at 70-46. The Sea Lions would sink a few late buckets to narrow the double-digit deficit, but CSUDH would take the nonconference matchup easily, winning 74-56.

Blue's 15 assists, tying the mark set by Maya Dozier on February 18, 1982, complemented her 10 points, giving the Toros two players with double-doubles on the evening.

Chase's 13 rebounds comes on the heels of last Saturday's career-best effort at Cal State L.A. as the sophomore pulled down 19 boards in the CCAA conference-opening victory.

Askew contributed 15 points in helping the Toros keep their perfect record intact, while Blue paved the way defensively, tallying a game-high five steals.

PLNU's Jessica Mercado and Alli Greenaway's 13 and 11 points led the Sea Lions effort, respectively, while Kristin Jenkins grabbed a team-high eight boards.

As a team, the Toros shot 48.4% from the field, including 54.5% in the second half during which they enjoyed a 45-33 scoring margin, and limited the Sea Lions to a 36.8% shooting night. CSUDH also tallied 15 total steals while forcing 24 PLNU turnovers.

Cal State Dominguez Hills hosts Notre Dame de Namur on Saturday, December 13, in the final home nonconference matchup of the year. Tipoff for Saturday's contest in the Torodome is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.-