CARSON, Calif. - The Sonoma State women's basketball battled to a close loss on Thursday night, dropping a conference clash with Cal State Dominguez Hills 53-45.  The Seawolves traveled just seven players to Southern California for the contest which saw their CCAA record move to 5-4.

SSU started strong and opened the game with a 13-8 lead after the first quarter. Alli McDonald notched the first basket of the game and later knocked down a 3-pointer and added a jumper for a seven point opening period. Aaryn Pickett hit a triple of her own to add five points in the quarter. 

The two teams went back and forth in the second with several lead changes before the Toros ended the half with the final two buckets to take a 23-21 lead it's the break. McDonald and Chasity Spady scored the only two field goals for the Seawolves in the quarter. 

Spady opened the third with a 3-pointer before Camille Johnson scored a pair of baskets to keep SSU ahead by one point. McDonald them answered another lead change with a triple to make it 31-29 at the 6:52 mark. From there the rest of the quarter was all CSUDH as the home team ripped off a 12-2 run and led by eight after three. 

The Seawolves would not go away however with a 10-2 run to open the fourth and tie the game at 43-43.  McDonald scored the first four points and was followed by 3-pointers by Johnson and Kianna Maldia.  The Toros put the contest away from
there, scoring the next eight points. 

McDonald finished with a game and career high 16 points and 9 rebounds on 6 of 13 shooting.  Johnson also reached double figured with ten.

Sonoma returns to the Bay Area on Saturday to take on Cal State East Bay in Hayward for another CCAA conference battle.