The Toros punch their ticket to move forward to the Elite Eight after an exceptional win against the Cougars. Photo by Julia McIntyre.
By Julia McIntyre Staff Reporter
The stands in the Torodome were shaking as Toro Nation cheered, screamed, and willed their team to its first NCAA West Region title in school history. The California State University, Dominguez Hills women’s basketball continued to write the history books Monday night as they dominated California State University, San Marcos in the West Regional Championship game, 73-51.
A year of firsts for the Toros, first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, first seed in the NCAA West Regional, first time ever in an Elite 8, first time John Bonner has won coach of the year, the list of firsts goes on and on. The one constant for this Toros season has been winning. After being behind CSUSM for the first quarter, the Toros charged to take the lead and never looked back.
The Cougars started strong offensively at the start of the game as they took an early five-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Cougar lead did not last long into the second quarter as the Toros took the 25-23 lead with just over five and a half minutes left in the half. It was obvious CSUDH simply wanted it more, they excelled against CSUSM’s defensive pressure, getting inside with ease and using their signature trap defense to cause the Cougar’s to slip up throughout the game.
The Toros stars of the season shined in the championship game sophomore Asia Jordan, and senior Dawnyel Lair worked together to close the gap in the second quarter and take the lead that won them the game. All-CCAA First Team member, Asia Jordan led all scorers with 19 points and added 10 rebounds. Lair scored 13 points and had a game-high of 11 rebounds.
The Torodome rocked with noise during the last five minutes of the first half when CSUDH finally broke ahead, 27-23.
The second half started with impressive plays by the CCAA Player of the Year, Dawnyel Lair. Lair made a nifty layup after going coast-to-coast following a steal from the Cougars. CSUDH’s quick movements and defensive pressure left CSUSM helpless and unable to make a shot for almost 12 minutes.
The Toros grew stronger as they increased their lead to 42-35 in the third quarter while the Cougars seemed to have lost their strength. A three-pointer by Deejanae Poland to open the fourth quarter was all that the Toros needed to all but wrap up their first trip to the Elite 8 in school history. .
CSUDH took away CSUSM’s scoring abilities that were shown in the first quarter. From the first quarter on, the Toros hounded the Cougars defensively, coming up with 17 turnovers in total, 10 of which came by steals.
With three minutes left, the Toros had successful free throws made by Poland which brought the score to 61-47 and all but sealed the game CSUDH built up a lead impossible for CSUSM to catch by playing their defining game of tough, physical basketball. The excitement level rose with each second ticking away and erupted when sophomore Danyell Booker sprinted down the court to make a layup without a Cougar in sight. And after CSUSM’s ball was stolen by Joe’l Benoit the Toros lead was almost 20-point, the anticipation was palpable.
In the final minute of the game, Cougars head coach, Renee Jimenez, replaced her starting lineup with the bench as a sign of defeat. The Toros followed suit to give the stacked lineup a break and gave players who have not carried the heavy minute load some much-earned playing time a minute of exuberance for the starters as they got to watch their teammates play in the Sweet 16 and they got to watch the clock tick to zero. Toro Nation serenaded “The Best In The West” as the stands were singing their rendition of the popular song “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam to the Cougars as the buzzer sounded and the Toros were named the NCAA West Regional Champions.
