SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Dominican University of California and San Rafael High School are combining to stage a free toy drive during a men's basketball doubleheader Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Conlan Center.

The event will be held in conjunction with the annual “Holiday Season Toy Drive” by the Ross Valley Firefighter's Club, San Anselmo Police Officer's Association, and Fairfax Police Officer's Association, who have joined together in an effort to provide toys for children in the Ross Valley community.

Dominican is putting a basketball spin on it.  Think of it as a stuffed-animals-for-slam-dunks exchange.

Fans bringing new unwrapped toys on Saturday will be admitted free to the games. The San Rafael Bulldogs (4-1) will play Albany High School (7-2) in a non-league game at 5:30 p.m. followed by Dominican's non-conference game against former NAIA rival Holy Names University (1-11) at 7:30 p.m.

All toys collected will be distributed to needy children in Ross Valley. People wishing to donate also can can bring boys to Fire Station 19 at 777 San Anselmo Ave. in downtown San Anselmo, Fire Station 20 at 150 Butterfield Road in San Anselmo or Fire Station 21 at 10 Park Road in Fairfax.

For more information about the Holiday Season Toy Drive, contact the Ross Valley Fire Department at 415-258-4686 or visit www.rossvalleyfire.org.

The Penguins are coming off an impressive effort last Friday, Dec. 11 in a 69-65 loss to NCAA Division I Santa Clara. The NCAA Division II Penguins built a 10-point cushion in the first half, held a 37-32 lead at intermission, and led 50-49 with nine minutes to play.

Dominican is paced by freshman Austin Bryan, who is third in the Pacific West Conference in scoring (18.8 ppg) and earned a place on last week's PacWest Top 10 Weekly Honor Roll, and former Branson School star Xander McNally, who leads the PacWest in steals and is second in the conference in assists.