Dec. 9, 2009
Box Score
San Diego, Calif.- The University of San Diego men's basketball team fell short in their attempt to rally from a double-digit lead in the final minute on Wednesday evening, losing to non-conference foe New Mexico 82-78 at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
The Toreros (4-6) scored 14 points in the last 58 seconds, clawing back and trying to erase a 78-64 Lobos lead, but New Mexico (9-0) hit four of their six free throws in the closing seconds to seal the victory. USD would narrow the lead to four twice in the last 11 seconds, but they could not complete the run and snap their now five-game losing streak.
Senior guard De'Jon Jackson shot 8-of-10 from the field, including 4-of-5 from three-point range, to help him score a team-high, as well as a personal season-high, 22 points. Senior Brandon Johnson contributed 14 of his 16 points in the second-half -- eight of which came in the concluding 40 seconds of the game. The 6-0 guard also added a season-high eight assists, four rebounds, and four steals. Guard Matt Dorr scored 13 and forward Chris Lewis supplied 11.
While the Toreros owned a 34-32 lead entering halftime, the Lobos gained control by shooting an enviable 16-of-21 (76.2%) from the field in the second half to best USD's 53.6% second-half shooting percentage. New Mexico forward Roman Martinez led the way by drilling eight of his nine three-point attempts throughout the game, helping him score a career-high 26 points.
Dorr and Lewis used their perfect 9-of-9 shooting from the field to combine for 21 of USD's 34 first-half points. The Torero advantage once stood at 10 points after Dorr drained a wide-open three from the left side at the 4:34 mark to set the score at 30-20.
The second half score fell in the favor of USD until Martinez hit back-to-back threes to help put New Mexico up 40-38 with 16:40 remaining. The two sides went back-and-forth, trading the lead, until Roberto Mafra evened the score with a turnaround jumper from inside the paint to tie the game at 47.
After a 15-3 run by New Mexico that brought the score to 62-50 with 8:23 left, USD used a run of their own, outscoring the Lobos 12-4 over the next two-and-a-half minutes, to keep within a close distance of the visiting Lobos. Clinton Houston delivered on an up-and-under lay-up to beat the New Mexico defense, setting the score at 66-62 New Mexico with 5:43 left.
New Mexico would continue to use their fine second-half field-goal shooting, however, opening up the game to 78-64 before USD attempted their final comeback run in the waning moments.
San Diego will look to move on from the defeat when they go on the road to take on Boise State this Saturday, December 12th. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. PT.
