Men’s squad score comeback victory, women’s team shows dominance on the court.
By Camila Chavarria, Staff Reporter
For the first time in program history, both the CSUDH men’s and women’s basketball teams are headed to the Final Four of the NCAA Div. II Championship Tournament. The milestone continues a season of unprecedented success for both squads—and Toros Athletics.
Toros basketball made history this year when CSUDH became the first university ever to have both its men’s and women’s teams sweep all four CCAA Championships in a single season. This year also marked the first time both Toros teams earned spots in the Div. II Elite Eight.
Toros show grit against West Liberty
The men’s team secured their Final Four spot on Mar. 25 after a hard-fought win over West Liberty at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. Trailing 39-50 at halftime, the Toros mounted an 18-0 comeback in the second half to take the lead, punctuated by a three-pointer from junior guard Jeremy Dent-Smith. (Full disclosure: Dent-Smith is also a staff reporter for The Bulletin.)
The game came down to the final seconds, with the Toros holding off the Hilltoppers 86-84 to clinch their first-ever spot in the Final Four.
Graduate guard David Cheatom led the Toros with 22 points, with strong showings from Dent-Smith (19 points), senior forward Adam Afifi (12 points), and graduate guards DJ Guest (11) and Jordan Hilstock (10 points). Graduate guard Alex Garcia grabbed nine rebounds, the most for either team.
Before facing West Liberty, Toro men’s players told The Bulletin that their success this season stemmed from the strong bond they’ve built as a team. Senior guard Za-Ontay Boothman, who’s been sidelined for months with a shoulder injury, said his team has seen its share of “ups and downs” but rallies when times get tough on the court.
“We have a selfless locker room and hold each other to high standards where no one is above the other,” Boothman said.
Junior guard Jeremy Dent-Smith, who earned All-America honors, said the grit was necessary to make a deep run at the National Championship.
“You have to have will and want to be there“ Dent-Smith said. “You have to play with desperation, and that’s how we have to look at it every day—just be desperate.”
“It feels surreal making it because growing up, watching March Madness, you never think it’ll be your team,” said sophomore forward John Solomon. “But that speaks volumes to our program and how special, rare, and talented our group is.”
The men’s team will take on Dallas Baptist University in their Final Four matchup on Mar. 27.
Women’s team: defense key to dominance
The top-seeded Toro women’s team, meanwhile, celebrated their Final Four berth on Mar. 24 with a decisive win over No. 6 Coker University at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The women’s squad dropped a single game during a regular season defined by several double-digit victories—and their quarterfinal game was no different, with the Toros defeating the Cobras 82-66.
Graduate forward Teagen Thurman led the charge against the Cobras with 23 points, while freshman guard Cristina Jones added 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight steals. Junior guard and National Player of the Year Nala Williams contributed 19 points, and senior forward Asia Jordan recorded six points, six rebounds, and two steals.
For the women’s team, defense has been essential to their tournament run. The team defeated Azusa Pacific, Alaska Anchorage, and Central Washington en route to their Elite Eight game. Head coach John Bonner has attributed his team’s success to a simple philosophy: “Disrupt. Defend. Rebound.”
“Our defense is what gets us going,” Jones said. “To dominate, full-court press—we’ll win the game.”
“Everyone on this team is willing to do whatever it takes to win,” Thurman said. “Whether it’s making the extra pass, diving for loose balls, or stepping up in big moments. That kind of mentality is what sets us apart.”
As a graduate student in her final season, Thurman said she’s embracing every moment on the court, knowing each game could be her last.
“As a grad student in my final season, this journey is meaningful to me. Every game could be my last, so I’m soaking it all in and giving everything I have,” she said.
The Toros are just two wins away from a national championship—but first, they’ll face the Union Bulldogs on Mar. 26.