Toros Push Streak to Five Behind Askew’s 18 Points, Defeat Cal State San Bernardino, 52-43
Van Nuys native shoots 7-of-15 as CSUDH sweeps weekend conference series
January 22, 2005

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA -- Senior guard Octavia Askew’s (Van Nuys, CA/Birmingham HS) 18 points led the conference-leading Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros to a 52-43 win over visiting Cal State San Bernardino, pushing their winning streak to five games and securing their place atop the CCAA Conference.

With the victory, the Toros improve to 9-5, 7-1, while the Coyotes fall to 10-5, 4-4 CCAA.

Askew’s hot hand led Toros in the early going, pouring in seven points in the first 20-minute session. After the visitors took a 14-10 lead with 7:58 left in the first half, a Lindsay Peloza (Alisa Viejo, CA/Capistrano Valley HS/Saddleback JC) three-pointer and free throw tied the game at 14-14, and an ensuing Askew bucket would give the Toros a 16-14 lead. After the teams exchanged baskets, another Askew hoop and a free throw gave CSUDH a 21-16 cushion as they headed into intermission with a slim 21-18 advantage.

The visiting Coyotes remained in striking distance as a Leilani Tirona three-pointer cut into the Toro lead to begin the second half, but a three-point answer by Crystal Maciel (Los Angeles, CA/South Gate HS/Los Angeles CC) would extend CSUDH’s advantage to 28-22 with 15:51 remaining in regulation.

A pair of Tameka Blue (Watsonville, CA/Santa Cruz HS) foul shots would increase the lead to eight, and a three-ball by Brittney Blankenship (Palmdale, CA/Palmdale HS) and a bucket by Blue would give CSUDH a 35-22 lead at the 11:44 mark, their biggest of the ballgame.

The Toro defense would step up, limiting the Coyotes to 30.8% shooting in the second half in keeping CSUSB at arm’s length. With the Toros up 46-39 with 3:45 left in the contest, CSUDH would outscore the visitors 6-4 the rest of the way, giving them a 52-43 win, their fifth victory in a row.

Michelle Kribell (Buena Park, CA/Western HS) chipped in with eight points, while Blue finished with seven points and five assists as the Toros connected for 11-of-15 free throws in the second half to seal the victory.

The defense forced the Coyotes into 24 turnovers, leading to 14 points for the Toros.

For CSUSB, Tironi scored 11 points, while Joyce Proctor and Sequoia Williams added eight points and nine boards each.

The Toros entertain visiting Cal Poly Pomona on Wednesday in a mid-week contest, which also will be webcast on Waldcast.net. First tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Torodome.