Jan. 6, 2006
Box Score
(San Diego, CA) - The USD Toreros (5-9; 0-1 WCC) battled league-favorite Loyola Marymount (7-7; 1-0) in both teams WCC opener this evening before 509 fans at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, and came away with a 70-57 loss. The Toreros shot the ball well in the first half, making 44.8% of their attempts in taking a 32-24 intermission lead, but the visitors heated up in the 2nd half, outscoring USD 46-25 while converting 55.6% of their attempts. Eleven of LMU's 2nd half baskets were in close compared to USD's three. USD's Kelly Winther led the team in scoring with 14 points, her 5th straight game in double-digits. Sabine Loewe also tallied double digits with 12 points and 6 rebounds. LMU received a double-double from forward Ashlee Dunlap (20 points, 15 rebounds), and 18 points from Amanda Decoud.
In the first half the Toreros battled back from an early 10-3 deficit with an 11-0 run that put them ahead 14-10 with 7:40 left. In that run USD received baskets by five different players with Lindsay Helvey closing the run with a three-pointer. From there the Toreros would maintain the lead the rest of the half and a Sabine Loewe layup at the buzzer would give them their 8-point advantage (32-24).
In the 2nd half the Toreros scored the first two baskets - a trey from Polly Dong, and a layup by Loewe, to extend their lead to 13 points at 37-24. Over the next 9+ minutes the Lions would outscore USD 22-7 to take a 46-44 lead with 10:10 to go. A Kelly Winther jumper at the 8:53 mark would knot the score one more time, 46-46, but LMU would hold onto the lead the rest of the way. The Toreros were within four (59-55) with 1:48 to go, but LMU would end the game on a 11-2 run with 5 points coming at the free throw line.
The Toreros will try to even their WCC record this Sunday when they entertain the Pepperdine Waves in a 2 pm contest. Pepperdine dropped a 69-65 overtime contest at San Francisco this evening.
