Bernard Leads Toros to Thrilling 76-74 Win Over Cal State L.A.
Senior notches 10 of 16 points in pivotal second half as CSUDH sweeps season series from cross-town rival
February 16, 2007

Complete Box Score

Carson, CA -- Senior Gabe Bernard (North Hills, CA/University of Texas at San Antonio) scored 10 of his team-high 16 points in a tightly-contested second half as Cal State Dominguez Hills survived a Cal State L.A. wide open 3-point attempt with 2.6 ticks on the clock to take a thrilling 76-74 win over the visiting Golden Eagles Friday night at the Torodome, sweeping the season series over their cross-town rivals.

The two teams played nip-and-tuck to begin the contest as an old fashioned 3-point play by Jamel Ward (Los Angeles, CA/Inglewood HS) at 12:40 tied the contest at 15-15, after which Mike Steed (Antelope, CA/Center HS) was rewarded with a breakaway dunk after stealing the ball from CSULA's Tyler Polo. The two teams then split the next 18 points to tie at 24-24, until two Shamont Brown (Jamaica, NY/Riverside CC) free throws, a Carlos Rivers (Long Beach, CA/LA Valley College) 3-pointer and a Bernard fall-away gave the Toros a 31-24 lead at 7:29.

The Golden Eagles, however, led by Jontae Vinson's 14 points, would outscore the Toros 15-7 to take a 39-38 lead entering the break as CSUDH was held scoreless over the final two minutes of the half.

After the intermission, the Golden Eagles would benefit from three 3-point plays, as Vinson (twice) and Donte Bell both converted to push CSULA's lead to 56-48 at the 13:34 mark. The Toros, however, would step up their defense and outscore CSULA 9-3 over the next three minutes to cut the deficit to 59-57. The Golden Eagles would answer with an 8-2 run of their own, the last points coming on a Vinson lay-up after a nice over-the-top feed from Junior Rodriguez.

Bernard would bring the Toros back to within 67-65 with consecutive jumpers, and to a 74-74 tie with consecutive treys with 77 seconds left in regulation. After Brown gave the Toros their first lead at 76-74 since minutes into the second half with a pair of free throws, CSULA's Robert Reynaga had a wide open look from the corner with 2.6 seconds left, but his 3-point attempt hit the front of the rim, preserving the Toro win and giving CSUDH a series sweep of the Golden Eagles.

Rivers chipped in 15 points while Brown tallied 13 and Jamaal Barnes (Compton, CA/Compton JC) 10, while Brown grabbed a game-high nine boards in the win. CSULA’s Vinson led all scorers with 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field, while Reynaga connected on 4-of-8 from behind the arc and a free throw for his 13 on the night. After shooting just 38.7% in the first half, CSUDH rallied with a 45.5% performance after the break, and also out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 41-30.

The Toros continue their CCAA home stand tomorrow night as Division I-bound Cal State Bakersfield pays the Torodome a visit, with first tip scheduled for 7:30 pm.