Second Half Woes Continue to Haunt Toros, Women Lose to CSUSB 71-63 in OT
Blue records double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds
February 24, 2006

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA – The Toros second half struggle did them in against Cal State San Bernardino, as the Toros dropped a 71-63 women's basketball overtime decision despite senior Tameka Blue (Watsonville, CA/Santa Cruz HS) recording her first double-double of the season with 24 points and 10 rebounds. With the loss the Toros have now dropped three in a row, and fall to 13-10, 8-9 CCAA. With the victory, CSUSB improves to 14-10, 8-9.

The game started with the Toros jumping out ahead over the first six minutes, building an 8-4 lead on a jumper by Adiana Vega-Howard (Covina, CA/Northview HS). The Coyotes would respond using jumpers by Monique Cruz and Tamara Thomas to tie the game at 8-8 with 13:47 remaining.

Each team would take its turn in the lead over the next five minutes, before the Toros began to break away from the Coyotes. A layup and free throw by Brandi McGinest (Long Beach, CA/Kansas University) a would put CSUDH in front with under nine minutes left. From that point the Toros would use a 14-6 run over the next six plus minutes to build a 30-21 lead. During the run, the Toros would have four different players contribute baskets.

The Coyotes would not let their deficit remain in double figures, and would score five points in the final minute of play to cut the Toro lead to just five at halftime, 31-26.

The Coyotes would use a 17-8 run to begin the second half to take a 46-39 lead at the 7:46 mark, as Christina Day would nail three three-point shots during the Coyote run.

The Toros would bull their way back into the game at the 1:36 mark on a jumper by Aujanee Baldwin (Fontana, CA/Etiwanda HS) to tie the game at 52-52, but the Coyotes would continue to fend off the Toros, not allowing them to take the lead. CSUDH would be down two with less than thirty seconds left.

Tied at 56-56 the Toro defense would create a turnover with only a tick left on the clock, but the final shot would be wide as the teams entered overtime.

In the extra period, the Coyotes would take command of the game, building a 10-point lead with a minute remaining, eventually outscoring the Toros 15-7 in the period.

CSUSB was led by Day's game high 26 points, while Monique Cruz and Lindsay Webb rounded out the Coyotes in double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Baldwin would chip in eight points in the effort while Michelle Kribell (Buena Park, CA/Western HS) pulled down seven boards.

The Toros wrap up their 2005-06 home schedule tomorrow as they take on UC San Diego, with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Torodome. Tomorrow's game will mark the end of four careers, as Tameka Blue, Adiana Vega-Howard, Celeste Haueter, and Brandi McGinest are honored in a pre-game ceremony