Box Score SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — With President Mary Marcy in attendance on the Athletics Department's first-ever Academic Night, the Dominican University of California men's basketball team punched its ticket to the Pacific West Conference Championships with an 85-64 victory over visiting Notre Dame de Namur.
In topping the Argos (6-15/5-10), the third-place Penguins improved to 17-7/11-5 PacWest, surpassing their overall win total from 2012-13, and guaranteed a place in the six-team conference tournament March 6-8 in San Diego. The winner of the tournament earns the automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament.
Five minutes into action, the Penguins led 15-8 and led by as much as 14 in the first half before taking a 46-33 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Dominican wasted no time in the second half, using a flurry of three-pointers. Six three-pointers in the first six minutes of the second half built the lead to 30 at the 13-minute mark. The Penguins were on fire from deep, draining 15-of-26 (57.7 percent) of their attempts. In fact, the Penguins shot 57.7 percent for the game (30-of-52).
All five of the Penguins' starters scored in double digits.
Connor Haysbert led all players with 17 points.
Dominique Taplin added 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting and dished out four assists.
Jonny Bates and
Matt Hayes each drained four three-pointers and finished with 14 points apiece. Each had a team-high five rebounds. The 14 points was a career-high for Bates. Freshman guard
Josh Armstrong, who was the only Penguin to not attempt a field goal, dished out four assists and had three steals.
Forward Don Washington led the Argos with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Dominican heads to Holy Names University (5-18/4-11) on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4:00 p.m. The Penguins handled the Hawks 75-65 in their first meeting last Wednesday.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, Dominican is hosting a #BLACKOUT, encouraging all fans to wear black as the men's lacrosse team's 2013 WILA Championship banner is unveiled. That is also Ron Powell Tribute night with all ticket sales benefitting the Roneil Powell Memorial Fund to help support the former Dominican player and coach's family.
