Dec. 7, 2004
Box Score
Senior center Brice Vounang scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 9 boards as USD (3-4) defeated the San Jose State Spartans (3-3) on the road, 74-60. The win snapped USD's 23-game road losing streak dating back to the 2002-03 season. The game was tied at 28-all at halftime, but the Toreros built an 18 point lead in the first 10 minutes, then held off SJSU's runs. Nick Lewis (15 points) and Brett Melton (13 points) also had big nights for the Toreros.
The win avenged USD's loss to this same Spartan team in San Diego on Nov. 27th, a 71-70 setback. Both teams got off to slow starts, but USD then built a 10-point lead midway thru the 1st half on the strength of Vounang and Lewis. A Brandon Gay jumper gave USD its third 10 point lead of the half at 22-12 before the Spartans closed strong on a 16-6 run.
In the 2nd half USD got big baskets from Vounang, Melton and Lewis in stretching the lead to 51-35 at the 11:45 mark. A Ross DeRogatis three-pointer with 10:12 to go gave USD its biggest lead of 18 points at 57-39. From there the host Spartans made one final push, getting to within 7 points at 61-54 with 5:42 to go, but USD for the first time this season finished strong in a close game.
The Toreros ended up shooting 50% from the field (28-56) and a solid 80% from the free throw line (12-15). USD also outrebounded the Spartans, 34-22, and more importantly, held leading scorer Marquin Chandler in check most of the evening (14 points). Chandler scorched the Toreros for 26 points in San Diego.
The Toreros will play their 4th straight road game this coming Saturday, Dec. 11th, when they take on the USC Trojans in a 5 pm contest at SDSU's Cox Arena in the San Diego Slam. For tickets call 619.260.7550.
