This Week in Toros Men's Basketball
November 28, 2005

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The Toros begin CCAA Conference play this week against northern California foes San Francisco State on Friday, followed by a contest at Sonoma State the next night.

Rocky Road: The Toros have gotten off to a shaky start to begin 2005-06, dropping their first three games of the season. However, after their 16-point loss to Vanguard in its season-opener, CSUDH played both Seattle Pacific and Central Washington tough at the Cal State L.A. Thanksgiving Classic, falling by a combined nine points.

Against SPU, Mario Malave poured in 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting while Murphy Cooper nailed 4-of-5 from behind the arc en route to 15 points, but the Falcons would take a lead with :07 left in regulation and withstand a last-second 3-point attempt by Shamont Brown to take the win. The next day against CWU, Malave continued his point production with 29 points and was bolstered by Carlos Rivers’ 13 points, but the Wildcats would turn a 35-35 halftime tie into a seven-point win, using an 8-3 free throw advantage in the second half to secure the victory.

Home Sweet Home: After the Toros finish their five-game road trip with a contest at San Diego Christian College on December 10, they host six-consecutive games to ring out 2005, and bring in the new year. CSUDH hosts Hope International on December 17 and Dominican University on December 30, before four-consecutive conference games, beginning with Cal State Bakersfield and Cal State L.A. the weekend of January 6-7.

Super Mario: Junior Mario Malave is making his case as not only one of the top players in the league, but also in all of Division II in the early going. Despite the Toros’ 0-3 start, Malave has been the center of attention, both on the floor and on the glass. In just three games, he is averaging 22.7 points, which includes 29- and 25-point performances in his last two games while on the boards, he has pulled down 22 rebounds, including eight on the offensive end, good for a 7.3 rebound per game average.

Additionally, the 6’7” Bakersfield College transfer is shooting a sizzling 56% from the field (29-of-52), and 75% from the foul line (9-of-12). To make matters worse for the opposition, Malave has drained his only 3-point field goal attempt thus far, and has averaged a workman-like 32 minutes per contest.

“3” the Hard Way: Murphy Cooper and Carlos Rivers have provided sharp shooting from beyond the arc in the early going, connecting for a combined 8-of-19 from behind the 3-point line (42%). Cooper has drained 4-of-6 attempts, including a 4-for-5 performance in the loss to Seattle Pacific, while Rivers has contributed a 4-of 13 effort on the season, including a perfect 2-for-2 in the season opener against Vanguard.

From the Floor: CSUDH is starting strong from the field, making 42% of its shots. In addition to Malave’s 56% success rate, Murphy Cooper (63%), Joe Johnson (53%) and Mike Steed (50%) give the Toros four scorers who are finding success from the floor. Furthermore, Nonso Nibo (45%) and Carlos Rivers (37%) solid efforts add to the Toros’ balanced scoring.

Change ... Is A Good Thing: The 2005-06 squad features 11 new players and three returners donning the Cardinal & Gold, and will look to bring the Toros back to its winning ways. Three of those newcomers, Murphy Cooper, Eric Montgomery and Trevon Bryant, are familiar faces for coach Powell as he coached them to a state title as freshmen in 2003-04, one of two championships he led Compton Community College to in his seven years at the helm of the program.

A Matter of Size: In addition to having 11 new faces, this year’s Toros squad also will have an influx of size. Four of the newcomers stand at least 6’7”, compared to last year’s squad, whose tallest player stood at 6’7”. Junior transfer Trevon Bryant tops the Toros with his 6’9” frame, while fellow junior transfer Joe Johnson stands in at 6’8”. Two other juniors make the 6’7” height, as Mario Malave and Durwin Williams will give CSUDH both a presence and depth in the paint the Toros have not seen for a while. For good measure, senior Eric Montgomery comes in at 6’6”, while freshman Jonathan Toliver is at 6’5”.

Introducing Drew Ward: Congratulations go to assistant coach Max Ward and his wife, Diane, as they gave birth to a baby boy on Friday, November 4. Coming into this world at a healthy 8 lbs., 5 oz., and measuring at 21 inches tall, the proud new father couldn’t help but contain his excitement.

“I have coached many players and my wife Diane is the best payer I have ever coached,” the excited father states. “She is a true champion for the way she handled the whole experience, and her determination and fight to push Drew out was incredible.”

Like the dedicated coach he is, the elder Ward arrived on time for the scrimmage at USC.

Toros Continue 2005-06 Basketball Web Cast Schedule With Waldcast.net: CSUDH and Waldcast.net continue their broadcast schedule for the Toros 2005-06 men’s basketball seasons. A total of 15 men’s games will be web cast, including two preseason exhibition contests, all of which can be heard here on the Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics Website.

The men’s web cast schedule continues this weekend as the Toros kick off their CCAA Conference schedule, heading north to face San Francisco State on Friday and Sonoma State the next night, with both games scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

Longtime southland broadcaster Ronnie Wald, who begins his third year as the basketball broadcast voice of the Toros, will be calling the play-by-play.