Dec. 9, 2003
Box Score
The USD men's basketball team improved to 2-1 in home games at the Jenny Craig Pavilion with tonight's superb 80-66 victory over visiting Southwest Missouri State (5-3). With the win USD improves to 2-6 and will now take that mark on the road this Saturday to UC Santa Barbara. Junior center Brice Vounang led the way with 17 points while Nick Lewis added 14 and forward Brandon Gay chipped in with 13. USD jumped out to a 39-26 halftime advantage and then held off the Bears who were led by Monwell Randle's 19 points/15 rebounds.
In the first half USD managed to connect on 6-of-11 treys in building up their 13 point advantage. Brandon Gay, playing in just his second game of the season after recovering from a stress fracture, netted 10 of his 13 points in the first half. He would also finish the game with a team-high 7 rebounds.
In the second half USD's biggest lead was 15 points, the final advantage coming at 59-44 with 10:45 to go. Behind some clutch three-point shooting from Blake Ahearn, SMS battled back to get within two points at 65-63 with 3:24 to go. From there it was all USD as the Toreros closed out the game outscoring the Bears 15-3. USD received balanced scoring with three other players scoring 9 points - Brett Melton, Michael Hubbard and Brad Lechtenberg.
