Feb. 6, 2007

Final Stats

MORAGA, Calif. (AP) -Brandon Johnson scored six straight points to push San Diego past a tie and help the Toreros log a 76-72 victory over Saint Mary's on Monday night.

Johnson finished with a game-high 18 points as the Toreros (14-10, 4-5 West Coast Conference) avenged an 85-78 home loss earlier this year.

Diamon Simpson led Saint Mary's (13-12, 5-4) with 17 points, as the Gaels lost their third of the past four home games and fell out of a tie for first in the conference.

After the Gaels overcame a 15-point deficit to tie the game, Brett Collins' two free throws, followed by two more free throws from Johnson with 5:05 to play. Johnson then banked in a six-footer and scored on a layup as San Diego quickly rebuilt its lead.

Saint Mary's missed two 3-point attempts in the final 15 seconds that would have tied the game before Ross DeRogatis hit a free throw with 2.5 seconds left to give San Diego its final margin.

Gyno Pomare had 16, Ray Murdock 15 and Nir Cohen 10 points and 10 rebounds for San Diego, which built a 41-33 first-half lead, thanks in part to a 21-12 rebounding advantage. San Diego ended with a 40-38 rebounding advantage.

Saint Mary's came back from a 55-40 deficit with balanced scoring, but two turnovers and a missed 3-point attempt after it tied the game allowed San Diego to score eight straight points and build an insurmountable lead.

Collins had 14, Wayne Hunter 12 and Tron Smith 11 for the Gaels.