Toros Win Eighth Consecutive Game

Depth is a luxury that basketball Coach Dave Yanai has rarely been able to afford is his 14 seasons at Cal State Dominguez Hills. That is, until this season.

Saturday afternoon against Christian Heritage College, all 12 Toros played and 10 of 12 scored as the Toros won their eighth consecutive game, 86-71. Dominguez Hills, which tied the school record for consecutive victories, can set the record tonight when it plays host to Merrimack College at 7:30.

Dominguez Hills (10-4) equaled its victory total for the 1989-90 season. Christian Heritage is 4-9.

Senior guard Keith Billingslea led all scorers with a season-high 22 points despite playing only 21 minutes.

CSDH broke open a close game with an 11-4 run at the end of the first half to lead, 35-26, at halftime. The Toros extended their lead to 47-36 five minutes into the second half and were never threatened.

“Our depth really surfaced in the second half,” Yanai said. “Our game plan was to exert pressure defensively as we always do and then to push the ball up quickly offensively to exploit their lack of depth.”

The Toros forced 21 Hawk turnovers that resulted in numerous easy baskets. Dominguez Hills also used its size advantage to shoot a season-high 59.6% from the field (34 of 57).

Billingslea made 10 of 16 shots and freshman John Brown made seven of nine while holding Christian Heritage’s leading scorer, Vernaldo Butler, to a season-low 13 points.

Forward Curt Hallberg led Christian Heritage with 15 points and senior center Rob Meeter added 10 rebounds.

After tonight’s game against Merrimack, Dominguez Hills opens California Collegiate Athletic Association play on Saturday against NCAA Division II national runner-up Cal State Bakersfield in Bakersfield.