Dec. 17, 2005

Box Score

Toreros Fall To UTA In Overtime 94-91 6-Game Win Streak Ended By Mavericks

(San Diego, CA) - The USD Toreros (7-3) saw their 6-game winning streak end with today's 94-91 overtime loss to the visiting Texas-Arlington Mavericks (5-5) before 1,473 fans at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. UTA won this two-game series against the Toreros having won last year's meeting in Arlington, 92-83. Senior forward Nick Lewis led all scorers with 24 points and was followed by Corey Belser (17) and Gyno Pomare (15). UTA was paced by guard Jarrett Howell (17 points) and freshman guard Brandon Long (12) who made 3-4 treys. USD will look to get back to their winning ways this Tuesday when they take on Loyola-Chicago (6-1) in a 7 pm contest at the JCP.

In the first half USD fell behind by as many as 7 points (18-11), but battled back to take two leads of 5 points, the last at 29-24 with 6:26 to go on a jumper by Brandon Johnson. With just over two minutes left the game was knotted at 36-36, but the visitors edged ahead for a 40-38 intermission lead. The first half saw UTA shoot 65.4% from the field while the Toreros struggled in at 39.5%.

In the 2nd half USD was able to work up an 8 point lead at 61-53, and with 7:47 left in regulation had junior guard Ross DeRogatis at the free throw line with a 1-on-1 opportunity. DeRogatis, who came into the game having made all 18 attempts this season, missed and UTA answered with a Brandon Long three-pointer, a Jarrett Howell layup and Rodrick Epps three to tie the game at 61-all with 5:06 to play. The Mavericks used that momentum to build a 76-71 lead with just :45 seconds left, but the Toreros rallied with a Gyno Pomare layup, two free throws from Pomare, and two free throws from Brandon Johnson with :12 seconds left to tie the game at 77-77. UTA's Brady Dawkins attempted a three at the buzzer but was long.

Long opened the overtime with a three-pointer and the Mavericks would never trail in the period. After jumping ahead by 7 at 91-84, USD stormed back one more time but came up short in the end. Lewis and Belser hit back-to-back layups, and freshman Danny Brown hit a big three with 7 seconds left to make it 93-91. The Toreros fouled Jarrett Howell who made 1 of 2 free throws, but USD's three at the buzzer by DeRogatis was just off the mark.

For the game UTA shot 60.3% from the field, finding numerous seams in the Torero defense for inside buckets. The Toreros managed to convert just 42.4% of their attempts (36-85) and made just 6 of 24 from beyond the three-point arc.