Gators Fight Early But Fade As Toros Win Big, 78-57 in CCAA Women's Basketball Action
Toros record fourth-straight blowout
February 4, 2006

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA – Brittney Blankenship (Palmdale, CA/Palmdale HS) and Tameka Blue (Watsonville, CA/Santa Cruz HS) led the Toro stampede with 15 points apiece as CSUDH beat the visiting Gators of San Francisco State 78-57. With the win CSUDH increases its win streak to five, and improves to 12-6, 7-5 CCAA. With the loss the Gators drop to 6-13, 1-11 CCAA.

It appeared early on that the Gators were still riding the adrenaline of their first conference victory the night before. SFSU started quickly and controlled the game over the first four minutes of play, building a 7-4 lead on two lay-ups by Farryn Lewis and a Bobbie Waldon three-point shot. The Toros would answer and cut the lead to one on a basket by Alana Bailey (Altadena, CA/John Muir HS) at 9-8, however the Gators would push hard and regain their six-point advantage after another jumper by Lewis. CSUDH would catch up on a jumper by Blue and tie the game at 14-14 with 10:56 remaining.

Over the next five minutes it appeared that the Gators began to run out of steam, as CSUDH slowly increased their lead to nine on a lay-up by Teriana Loftin (Torrance, CA/West HS) off the bench. SFSU would try and keep up with the Toros as they cut the lead to just three with five minutes remaining. However the Toros would go on a 13-0 run over the remaining 4:45 and go into the locker room with a 47-31 advantage.

The Toros would shoot 53.3 percent from the field in the first half, while the Toro bench chipped in 15 points to the Gators' none.

SFSU would start the second half on a 16-7 run over the first eight minutes of play to cut the Toro lead to seven at 54-47. Aujanee Baldwin (Fontana, CA/Etiwanda HS) would come off the bench and grab an offensive rebound, and then score to put the Toros' lead back in double digits at 57-47 with 10:22 remaining. CSUDH would turn up its defensive intensity, and keep the Gators scoreless for the next five minutes, pushing their lead 75-53.

The Toros would tack on a couple more buckets over the remaining three minutes and complete their fourth straight blowout.

SFSU would put four players in double figures, led by Lewis with 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Chloe Grimm would contribute 12 points and nine rebounds while going 10 for 10 from the free throw line while Leslie Miller and Waldon would chip in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

In addition to Blankenship's and Blue's 15 points, Bailey would record her third double-double of the season with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Jessica Liang (Alhambra, CA/Mark Keppel HS) would hit a pair of threes and chip in 11 points and four assists in the effort.

The Toros hit the road next weekend to take on Cal State L.A. and Cal State Bakersfield for games one and two of a four-game road trip. Both opponents are ranked in the latest NCAA Far West poll, with the Golden Eagles and the Roadrunners checking in at No. 5 and No. 1, respectively. Tip-off for both games is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.