Nov. 25, 2007

Final Stats

(Anaheim, CA) - The USD Toreros (3-4) dealt UC Irvine a 60-57 loss today to snap their 4-game skid. The Toreros made six straight free throws in the final 30 seconds to hold off the Anteaters (2-4) and get back on the winning track. Gyno Pomare led the Toreros with 16 points and was followed by Brandon Johnson (15 points) and Ray Murdock (14 points, 6 rebounds). The Toreros held a 54-47 lead with 1:05 to play but saw UCI pull to within one at 54-53 with 29 seconds left. Ray Murdock was fouled before the inbounds pass and made both free throws. After UCI's Chuma Awaji made a free throw and three-pointer for a 56-54 count, Murdock added two more free throws for a 58-54 advantage. Awaji converted another trey with 12 ticks left, but Brandon Johnson made both free throws with 10 seconds left for the final 60-57 victory.

"We really needed that one," said head coach Bill Grier. "That was a gutty effort by our guys and it will now give us some confidence. I challenged them yesterday, and I'm pleased they came out and battled and competed. We made our free throws down the stretch. That was a great win today."

UC Irvine's Awaji finished the game with 16 points and was followed by Patrick Sanders with 13. The Anteaters outrebounded USD 30-25 with 11 of their caroms coming on the offensive end. USD shot 42.5% from the floor (17-40), and converted on a season-high 88.5% of their free throws (23-36). USD's Pomare, who came off the bench for the first time this season, scored 10 of his 16 points in the 2nd half. The Toreros hit the road again for a Nov. 28th tilt at Boise State.