San Francisco State Defeats Toros in Men's Basketball League Opener, 62-51
Ryan Cleaves leads four players in double figures to keep CSUDH winless
December 3, 2004

Complete Box Score

CARSON, Calif.-Ryan Cleaves led four San Francisco State players in double figures to propel the visiting Gators to a 62-51 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills in opening night of California Collegiate Athletic Association conference play Friday night in the Torodome.

The score was tied on four different occasions in the first half before SFSU (2-3, 1-0 CCAA) took the lead for good, 16-14, on a layup by Joe Roberson with 9:01 left. San Francisco State would close out the period on a 12-6 run to take an eight point cushion into the intermission, 28-20.

Both teams exchanged baskets in the first four minutes of the second half before the Gators built an 18-point lead, 45-27, after going on a 13-3 run capped by a three-point play from Andrew Young. But Cal State Dominguez Hills (0-5, 0-1 CCAA) answered with a 15-2 run over the next seven minutes to trim the deficit to five points. The run was highlighted by Eric Crookshank (Vallejo, CA/Chabot JC) who scored eight of the 15 points, including two of his four highlight dunks on the night.

But San Francisco State answered with a trey by Mike Dyer at 5:20 to put them back up by eight, 50-42. The Toros would miss their next three baskets while the Gators would get a layup by Cleaves and convert a four-point play by Young after being fouled on a three-pointer to give them an 11-point lead with 3:12 remaining. That play broke the Toros backs as they would not have another run left in the final minutes of the game.

CSUDH went ice cold after getting within five points with just over six minutes left. The Toros shot 3-for-11 from the field to close out the second half.

Cleaves led all scorers and rebounders with 15 points off the bench going 6-of-9 from the floor with eight rebounds. Dyer added 13 while Roberson and Young chipped in with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Crookshank led Cal State Dominguez Hills with 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor. Quishawn Harrell (Long Beach, CA/L.B. Wilson HS) came off the bench to register 13 points, nine of them coming in the first half. Quenton Harvey (Compton, CA/Cleveland HS)led the squad with seven boards, all on the defensive end.

After shooting a poor 36% in the first half (9-25), CSUDH shot well in the second period making 59% of their shots (13-22). However, turnovers hurt the Toros committing 24 in the game, 14 in the second half alone.

Cal State Dominguez Hills will be back in CCAA action in the Torodome tomorrow night hosting Sonoma State. First tip is set for 7:30 p.m.