Box Score Box Score: Coyotes 44, CSU Dominguez Hills 43

SAN BERNARDNO – Cal State San Bernardino was pushed right to the end in its CCAA opener against Cal State Dominguez Hills as the Coyotes earned a 44-43 victory over the Toros before a crowd of 222 at Coussoulis Arena on Friday night.

Junior Trinidee Trice scored a game-high 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting  as CSUSB led from the outset, but it was far from an easy victory as the Coyotes overcame poor shooting in the second half and a pesky Toros team that closed the distance down the stretch.

CSUSB, now 2-2, 1-0 CCAA, earned the victory despite going nearly 13 minutes without a point in the second half. Senior Kristen Huffman gave the Coyotes a 33-21 lead with 19:22 remaining in the game. But over the next 12 minutes and 52 seconds, the Coyotes misfired on 17 field goals and CSUDH cut the lead to 33-30 on Breanne Garcia's jumper with 7:24.

Senior Jaslyn Cosey hit two jumpers inside a two-minute span as CSUSB led 39-34 with 2:36 left.

After Monay Lee hit two free throws and added a jumper, Cosey answered again with a jumper for a 41-38 lead with 49 seconds left.

Twice the Toros cut the lead to one – the final on a layup from Breanne Garcia with 23 seconds left after Coyotes freshman Alexcia Mack hit two free throws.

On the Coyotes' next possession, Mack hit the front end of a two-shot foul and CSUSB led 44-42 with 21 seconds.

CSUDH had a chance to tie, but missed three jumper s by Jamie Robinson inside a five-second span, but was fouled on the final one. She missed the first, and hit the second after a CSUSB timeout.

The Coyotes controlled the ball afterward and time ran out.

Mack and Huffman each had seven as the Coyotes finished the game hitting 30 percent from the field.

Robinson led the Toros (1-4, 0-2) with 15 points.

The Coyotes return to Coussoulis on Saturday when they play host to Cal State L.A. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m.