RIVERSIDE, Calif. — After Cal State Dominguez Hills hung with No. 4-ranked California Baptist University in the first half, the Lancers exploded on a huge run in the second half to grab an 81-53 victory.
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The Lancers keep their record unblemished, moving to 6-0 on the year with their sixth-straight 20-or-more-point victory. The Toros fall to 3-6 with the loss.
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Two Lancers finished the afternoon with double-doubles, led by
Cassidy Mihalko with 26 points (9-for-15) and 12 rebounds.
Darsha Burnside followed with 24 points (9-for-15) and 17 rebounds, while also posting four blocks.
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Courtney Nelson (3-for-12) and
Kamille Diaz (4-for-12) were just on the cusp of scoring in double figures, each ending with nine points. Diaz kept driving the offense, finishing the game with seven assists.
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CSUDH opened the game with the first four points, but the Lancers took a five-point lead off a layup from Burnside after Mihalko hit a three-pointer to start the 9-0 run.
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The Lancers looked like they were en route to blowing the game open with five minutes left in the first quarter as Diaz, Mihalko and
Erin Asher each scored two-point buckets to put CBU up by seven, 19-12. The Toros responded with a 9-0 run of their own, taking the lead briefly at 21-19.
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CBU regained its lead, but CSUDH kept the home team from exploding just yet as the two teams went into halftime with a 32-29 score line, in favor of the Lancers.
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When the Toros took a 40-38 lead halfway through the third quarter, something clicked for CBU. The Lancers erupted on a 23-2 run to all but end the game. Diaz sank a three to put the Lancers up 41-40.
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While CSUDH hit two free throws to take the lead back briefly, 42-41, the visitors couldn't stop the Lancers for the next six minutes, 30 seconds. Mihalko put the dagger of the run in when she grabbed an offensive board and tipped it back in to give CBU the commanding 63-42 cushion.
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The Lancers rode out the remaining eight minutes, even threatening a 30-point lead off a jump shot from
Megan Frerer, to grab the 81-53 victory.
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CBU remains at home as it opens PacWest action on Thursday, hosting Dixie State at 5:00 p.m. The Lancers then turn right around to take on No. 25-ranked Azusa Pacific on the road on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m.
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