The No. 16 CSUSB men's basketball team secured a hard-fought 87-81 triumph over the Toros on Thursday afternoon in Carson, CA. With the win, the Yotes elevate their conference record to 5-1 and their overall standing to an impressive 10-2.

Prior to the game, Cal State Dominguez Hills and the Yotes found themselves in a tie with Cal State LA for second place in the CCAA conference. The Toros had suffered their first conference defeat to Cal State LA on Saturday, while the Yotes' sole conference loss came against the undefeated Cal State East Bay.

Both teams were defensive powerhouses in the CCAA, with the Yotes claiming the top spot by allowing an average of only 60.2 points per game, closely followed by the Toros at No. 2 with 63.5 points. The stage was set for a fierce showdown between the two defensively strong squads.

The Toros came out strong, initiating an 8-point run until the 17:01 mark. Sedric Altman broke the Yotes' scoring drought by sinking a 3-pointer assisted by Robby Robinson in the 16th minute. The Toros retaliated with seven points before Altman nailed another three-pointer, bringing the score to 8-15.

Robby Robinson, the standout performer of the game, achieved his fourth and highest-scoring double-double of the 2023-24 season with 23 points and 11 rebounds, seven of which were defensive boards. Robinson showcased impeccable accuracy from beyond the arc and the free-throw line, maintaining a flawless 100% shooting record in both areas. Although Altman didn't have his highest-scoring game with 8 points, he showcased his importance to the Yotes' offense with 5 rebounds and 6 assists.

Jimmy Reyes made a significant impact off the bench, swiftly scoring 6 points, complemented by a well-executed three-pointer from Robby Robinson, narrowing the Toros' lead to 19-21 with ten minutes remaining in the first half.

Reyes continued his outstanding shooting performance, amassing 15 points in the game, going 6-for-8 from the field and 2-3 from beyond the arc. With three seconds left in the first half, Reyes drilled a three-pointer, bringing the score to 32-45 in favor of the Toros at halftime.

The second half began with layups by LeAndrew Knight and Robinson, both determined to cut the Toros' lead. Chris Mitchell and LeAndrew Knight played pivotal roles in equalizing the score by the 9th minute, with Knight contributing 19 points on an impressive 8-for-9 shooting and 6 rebounds. Chris Mitchell secured his first double-double of the season, registering 10 rebounds and 19 points.

The Yotes and Toros exchanged leads for a few minutes before the Yotes seized control in the 6th minute, pulling ahead 71-68. They maintained their lead until the final seconds, ultimately emerging victorious with a final score of 87-81.

The Yotes' bench proved instrumental, contributing 34 points in the game. Additionally, the team dominated in rebounding, collecting a total of 50 rebounds and converting them into 26 second-chance points.