[Box score]

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - A historic season for the Cal State Dominguez Hills women's basketball team ended in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight with a loss to Catawba 77-70. (Mar. 20)
 
Both teams were making their program's first appearance in the Elite Eight, and they faced off in the 3/6 matchup. Catawba controlled the game early and took a 47-35 lead into halftime. The No. 3 seeded Toros outscored the Indians 20-9 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to one (56-55).
 
The Toros had a chance to take the lead at the start of the fourth on a near backcourt violation, but Catawba got the ball back and hit a 3-pointer to extend the lead back to four (59-55). Again, Cal State Dominguez Hills would cut the lead to one at 61-60, but it could not find the go-ahead basket.
 
CSUDH kept the game at two to three possessions contest the rest of the way and still had chances to win in the final minutes. Nala Williams' jumper cut the Indians' lead to 69-64 with 2:08 remaining, and Kelsey Bell's 3-pointer had it to 71-67 with 35 seconds.
 
After the timeout, the Toros continued to keep full-court pressure. They forced the turnover they needed, but as the Toros' player recovered the ball and looked to the officials to signal for a timeout, she took an extra step and was called for the travel. Catawba was able to get the ball inbound on the ensuing play and make two free throws to go up six (73-67) with 20 seconds left. Williams hit a 3-pointer out of the timeout to make it 73-70 with 15 seconds left, but Catawba hit four free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
 
Dawnyel Lair posted her CCAA-leading 12th double-double of the season to lead the Toros. The 2022-23 CCAA Player and Defensive Player of the Year had 16 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Nala Williams added 15 points, and Deejanae Poland had 14.
 
Lyrik Thomas led four Catawba student-athletes in double-figures with 27 points.
 
The Toros set a program record this year with 31 wins and their first NCAA Regional Championship. CSUDH won its first 19 games of the season and ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation. Cal State Dominguez Hills concludes the season at 31-3.