The Cal State Stanislaus men's basketball team pulls off the biggest upset since becoming a member of the CCAA as the Warriors shocked No. 4 Cal State Dominguez Hills, 62-55.
Once again, the Warriors executed their game plan to near-perfection to complete an undefeated weekend to improve to 8-10 overall and 6-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. All six of CSUS's conference wins came on home court.
Dwight Jones led all players with 15 points, 13 of them in the first half, and Reggie Jones chipped in 11 to pace the Warriors.
"This obviously was the biggest win of the year for us," Warriors head coach Larry Reynolds said. "(CSUDH) is a very good team. Their ranking shows it at the No. 4 ranked team in the country."
Cal State Dominguez Hills suffered its second loss this season and falls to 16-2 overall and 12-2 in the CCAA after having its 10-game winning streak snapped. The Toros' only other loss was a 59-49 defeat to Cal State San Bernardino on Dec. 4.
For the Warriors, they have now beaten the top two teams in the conference. Stanislaus took a 73-58 win over Humboldt State, also on Dec. 4.
The ammo this year for Cal State Stanislaus has been defense. The team is the fourth best in the CCAA in scoring defense, allowing just 61.9 points per conference game. Despite being 11th in league in scoring (59.8 per game), the Warriors have been able to get to the free throw line -- and making the foul shots.
Cal State Stanislaus, the fourth best team in free throw shooting, made 24 of 28 attempts on the line Saturday night. Dwight Jones was 13 for 14 for the game. He made 11 of those in the first half as the Warriors rolled out to a 35-22 halftime lead.
"In the first half we did a good job of geting them in foul trouble and us getting to the basket and the (free throw) line," Reynolds added.
It was a physical game from the start with the Toros picking up technical fouls. Amir Aguilar was called on one at 13:19. Then Zareh Zargayan was ejected at 1:35 left in the first half after fouling Warrior guard Sam Marcus, then kicked him while he was down on the hardwood.
Even with one of their leading scorers in Zargayan for most of the first half, the Toros shot just 28.6 percent (6-for-21). For the game, the Toros made just 35 percent (14 for 40) of their field goals. CSUDH, the CCAA's leading 3-point shooting team entering the weekend, was just 6 for 21 from behind the arch.
Still, Cal State Dominguez Hills hung around in the game. After the Warriors built a 12-point lead early in the second half, the Toros got as close as four points with 3:55 remaining.
That's when Reggie Jones returned to the floor and hit two baseline jumpers in a row to pull CSUS ahead 55-47.
"Reggie hit some big shots down there after sitting with some fouls. He lifted the team and help us secure the win when we were a little flat," Reynolds added. "Brett (Sayad) was also key in hitting some big shots in the second half."
Evan Scott contributed with nine points and Brett Sayad chipped in eight. Prince Abidoye was awarded with five assists.
Marcquintice Davis led the Toros with 14 points and Robert Willhite added 11 with six free throws. CSUDH ended up with 21 free throws on 27 tries.
Hung Tsai, Assistant Athletics Director
Once again, the Warriors executed their game plan to near-perfection to complete an undefeated weekend to improve to 8-10 overall and 6-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. All six of CSUS's conference wins came on home court.
Dwight Jones led all players with 15 points, 13 of them in the first half, and Reggie Jones chipped in 11 to pace the Warriors.
"This obviously was the biggest win of the year for us," Warriors head coach Larry Reynolds said. "(CSUDH) is a very good team. Their ranking shows it at the No. 4 ranked team in the country."
Cal State Dominguez Hills suffered its second loss this season and falls to 16-2 overall and 12-2 in the CCAA after having its 10-game winning streak snapped. The Toros' only other loss was a 59-49 defeat to Cal State San Bernardino on Dec. 4.
For the Warriors, they have now beaten the top two teams in the conference. Stanislaus took a 73-58 win over Humboldt State, also on Dec. 4.
The ammo this year for Cal State Stanislaus has been defense. The team is the fourth best in the CCAA in scoring defense, allowing just 61.9 points per conference game. Despite being 11th in league in scoring (59.8 per game), the Warriors have been able to get to the free throw line -- and making the foul shots.
Cal State Stanislaus, the fourth best team in free throw shooting, made 24 of 28 attempts on the line Saturday night. Dwight Jones was 13 for 14 for the game. He made 11 of those in the first half as the Warriors rolled out to a 35-22 halftime lead.
"In the first half we did a good job of geting them in foul trouble and us getting to the basket and the (free throw) line," Reynolds added.
It was a physical game from the start with the Toros picking up technical fouls. Amir Aguilar was called on one at 13:19. Then Zareh Zargayan was ejected at 1:35 left in the first half after fouling Warrior guard Sam Marcus, then kicked him while he was down on the hardwood.
Even with one of their leading scorers in Zargayan for most of the first half, the Toros shot just 28.6 percent (6-for-21). For the game, the Toros made just 35 percent (14 for 40) of their field goals. CSUDH, the CCAA's leading 3-point shooting team entering the weekend, was just 6 for 21 from behind the arch.
Still, Cal State Dominguez Hills hung around in the game. After the Warriors built a 12-point lead early in the second half, the Toros got as close as four points with 3:55 remaining.
That's when Reggie Jones returned to the floor and hit two baseline jumpers in a row to pull CSUS ahead 55-47.
"Reggie hit some big shots down there after sitting with some fouls. He lifted the team and help us secure the win when we were a little flat," Reynolds added. "Brett (Sayad) was also key in hitting some big shots in the second half."
Evan Scott contributed with nine points and Brett Sayad chipped in eight. Prince Abidoye was awarded with five assists.
Marcquintice Davis led the Toros with 14 points and Robert Willhite added 11 with six free throws. CSUDH ended up with 21 free throws on 27 tries.
Hung Tsai, Assistant Athletics Director