CARSON, Calif.--- Depsite putting up a battle in the first half of play, the visiting SF State Gators couldn't keep the momentum rolling to fall 73-60 at Cal State Dominguez Hills. The loss puts the Gators 13-9 on the seaosn, 11-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, placing them tied for third place with Cal State L.A. and one game ahead of Chico State and CSUDH, tied at fourth.

"We can't string 40 minutes together," said head coach Paul Trevor. "We play good 20 minutes, but we can't do the full 40."

Calvin Otiono and Decensae White each finished the night with 14 points to lead SF State, with Winston Demmin adding 10 points to the Gators' tally. Brandon Tatum grabbed 10 boards for the Gators, followed by White, who was just on the brink of a double-double with nine rebounds. Pierson Williams paced the Toros (14-11, 10-8 CCAA) with 28 points off the bench.

Cal State Dominguez Hills jumped out in front in the first half and established a seven-point lead at 18-11 during the first 10 minutes of action. Winston Demmin started an 11-0 run to put the game into the Gators hands. Demmin finished a layup in the paint, followed by Otiono's two-point basket from White.

White tipped in his own missed jumper with six minutes before the half to put the Gators just one point behind the Toros. Feeling energized, Otiono put SF State in front with a layup and White increased the lead to three points less than a minute later. James Albright added a free throw point to give the Gators their largest lead of the night at 22-18 and just over four minutes left before half.

CSUDH cut the lead to one point off a shot from the perimeter from Williams, but White's jumper in the last minute sent the teams into halftime with a 24-21 score in favor of the visitors.

The Toros opened the second half with a 7-0 run to take the lead back into their hands. Tatum ended the run with a dunk to cut the lead to two points, but the Toros built their lead back up again.

Cal State Dominguez Hills continued to take advantage of the Gators' missed opportunities, grabbing as high as a 16 point lead in the second half. SF State tried to contain the Toros, but ultimately dropped the game 73-60.

"We need to learn how to get each other better and play as a team," said Trevor."

The Gators will have two last chances at home before post-season action begins with the CCAA tournament. SF State hosts National Collegiate Athletic Association No. 4-ranked Cal Poly Pomona Friday night at 7:30 p.m., where fans are encouraged to wear purple for the "Purple Out." Saturday's contest against Humboldt State, which also is slated for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off time, will honor three seniors before the match: Decensae White, Winston Demmin and James Albright.


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