Toros Women's Basketball Falls in Season-Opener to Metro State, 76-62
Tameka Blue tallies team-high 17 points in loss
November 19, 2004

Complete Box Score

Tameka Blue led the Toros with a team-high 17 points, but the Toros lost their season opener to Metro State.

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills junior Tameka Blue (Watsonville, CA/Santa Cruz HS) led the Toros with a team-high 17 points to lead three Toros in double-figure scoring, but visiting Metro State’s Megan Johnson poured in a game-high 24 points, including 12-of-12 from the foul line, as the Roadrunners spoiled CSUDH’s season-opener by taking a 76-62 victory.

With the loss, the Toros fall to 0-1, while the ‘Runners improve to 1-0 to start the 2004-05 campaign.

The Toros jumped out to an early 19-16 lead on a three-pointer by Blue at the 10:43 mark, three of 14 points she scored in the half. The visitors would knot the game on a Johnson free throw, only to have an Alana Bailey (Altadena, CA/John Muir HS) jumper reclaim the lead for CSUDH at 26-22 two minutes later.

After a ‘Runner bucket, Bailey poured in her second-consecutive basket, but a three-ball by Metro State’s Paige Powers would break the 31-31 tie, and the teams would split the next six points to give the visitors a 37-34 cushion at the half.

After intermission, the Toros would take the lead at 45-43 on two Ree Browne (Torrance, CA/South Torrance HS) free throws less than five minutes into the second half. The ‘Runners’ Natasha Molock would match Browne’s foul shots with two of her own to knot the contest, but consecutive Browne buckets would put the Toros ahead at 49-45.

The visitors, however, would not buckle, as they would run off 12-consecutive points, highlighted by a Johnson three-pointer to give the ‘Runners a 57-49 advantage with just under 10 minutes left in regulation. The Toros would cut the lead to 57-52 on a Michelle Kribell (Buena Park, CA/Western HS) foul shot, but Metro State would answer with five-consecutive points to take a 61-52 lead with 4:49 remaining.

After a Blue three-pointer would cut the lead to 66-60 with 2:23 remaining, Molock and Johnson would combine for eight free throws and a basket in the game’s final two minutes to seal the win for the Roadrunners, the final six points coming on Johnson foul shots to close the scoring.

The visitors outshot the Toros 46.2% to 38.5% in the game, nailing 15-of-19 free throws after intermission to cement the win. Bailey finished with 12 points and five boards in her Toro debut, while freshman Brittney Blankenship (Palmdale, CA/Palmdale HS) tallied 10 points and six boards in her first contest in Cardinal Red & Gold.

For the visitors, Danielle Ellerington and Molock contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively, while Ellerington pulled down a game-high nine boards.

The Toros travel to Riverside to battle Cal Baptist University, before opening their conference season with a December 3 contest hosting San Francisco State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.