Jan. 22, 2005

Box Score

(SAN DIEGO, CA) - The 11th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs dealt the host USD Toreros a 68-56 setback before 4,917 fans at the Jenny Craig Pavilion this afternoon. After leading most of the first half the Toreros found themselves down by one at intermission, 35-34. Gonzaga used a 16-0 run to start the 2nd half before the Toreros scored their first bucket at the 12:11 mark by Nick Lewis. The Zags built their advantage to 20 points and were ahead 68-53 in the final minute of play before USD's Brandon Gay converted a trey for only USD's 2nd basket of the half on 20 attempts. With the loss USD falls to 10-8 overall and 2-3 in the WCC; the Zags improve to 14-4 and 4-2.

In the first half USD got off to a great start and built a 20-10 advantage with 11:21 to go. USD still held a 34-31 lead with 1:02 to go but GU's J.P. Batista and Derek Raivio cashed in on both of their free throws for the 35-34 halftime advantage. Gonzaga dominated the boards in the first half, 26-9, and finished the game with twice as many, 46-23.

GU's J.P. Batista led all scorers with 22 points on 9-10 shooting from the field and 4-8 accuracy from the free throw line. Derek Raivio chipped in with 17 points and 4 assists. The Zags made 50% from the field.

San Diego's Brandon Gay matched Batista's 22 points as he canned 5-of-10 shots and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. No other Torero reached double figures with Nick Lewis (9 points) and Brice Vounang (8) the next highest scorers. Vounang saw his 17-game streak of double figure games snapped.

USD's defense caused the Zags into 25 turnovers for the game, but USD's cold shooting in the 2nd half and the difference in rebounding were the keys to outcome.

The Toreros hit the road next week for games at Saint Mary's on Thursday and Santa Clara Saturday.