Box Score SAN BERNARDINO – No. 8 Cal State San Bernardino earned its 15
th straight victory Saturday, but it was not an easy task in 78-72 victory over visiting Cal State Dominguez Hills at Coussoulis Arena.
CSUSB (15-1 overall and 12-0 CCAA) extended its best winning streak in 10 seasons by hitting 53.1 percent from the field in the second half and continuing its quality play in the final 20 minutes.
The Coyotes trailed for only 53 seconds in the half and after the Toros tied the game 42-42 on a Darnell Martin jumper, CSUSB regained the lead for good.
A pair of
Andrew Young free throws and a dunk from senior
Joshua Gouch gave the Coyotes breathing room at 46-42 with 12:19 left.
The Coyotes led by seven on six occasions inside the final 5:55 and gained control when senior
Kirby Gardner hit a jumper that put the Coyotes up 74-67 with 1:23 remaining.
Young had his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Martinez shared game-high scoring honors (18 points) with the Toros' Pierson Williams.
Martinez had four 3-pointers and dished five assists with four steals – all season highs for the Moreno Valley native.
Gardner had 13 points on 6-of-8 from the field and also had five assists.
Gouch had nine points and senior guard
Lacy Haddock had eight points and a team-high six assists.
The Toros (5-14, 2-10) stayed in the game thanks to their 60 percent effort from the field (15-for-25), but were undone by 20 turnovers that translated into 24 Coyotes' points.
CSUSB finished the first half of CCAA play unbeaten for only the third time in school history. The Coyotes earned that distinction with the 2001-02 and 2003-04 teams.
The Coyotes return to Coussoulis Arena on Friday night against Humboldt State.