Toros Women Drop First Contest of Season at Vanguard, 66-41
Sophomore Zipporah Chase notches fourth-consecutive double-double
December 15, 2003

Complete Box Score

Costa Mesa, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills suffered through a poor shooting performance as Vanguard University, the No. 3-ranked school in the NAIA, handed the Toros a 66-41 nonconference defeat at The Pit. CSUDH falls to 5-1, while Vanguard improves to 7-1.

The Toros took a quick 5-0 lead to begin the contest, thanks to a free throw and jumper by Zipporah Chase (Los Angeles, CA/Carson HS), followed by another jumper by Natasha Gray (Long Beach, CA/Long Beach Poly HS). Bolstered by Octavia Askew's (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham HS) six points and three assists in the first half, CSUDH would up its lead to 15-9 at the 13:39 mark. Vanguard, however, would find its stroke while the Toros would go cold, amounting to a 21-11 run in which the Lions would enter the locker room with a 35-26 advantage.

Both teams continued where they left off after the first 20-minute session, with Vanguard increasing its lead to 54-33 with 12:25 left in the contest. The Toros had trouble finding the bottom of the net, making only six of its shots after intermission. The Lions, however, matched their first-half output of 13 baskets to keep control of the contest, and a comfortable double-digit lead over CSUDH. The Toros would get as close as 54-36 points on a Chase jumper, but Vanguard used a 12-5 scoring run to close the game, handing CSUDH its first loss of the year.

Chase's double-double of 13 points and 12 boards both were team-high totals, giving the sophomore her fourth-consecutive double-double of young season. Gray chipped in 11 boards, while Askew's three assists led the Toro effort.

Vanguard's Kelly Schmidt scored a game-high 19 points, leading three Lions in double-figure scoring. Lisa Faulker contributed 12 points and 13 assists, while Lacey Mills rounded out the Lions high-scorers, contributing 14 points in the Vanguard victory.

The Toros return to action on Saturday, December 27, as they face cross-town rival Cal State L.A. First tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.