Feb. 5, 2011
Final Stats
(San Diego, CA) - The Toreros came within seconds of winning their second straight contest, but Pepperdine forward Mychel Thompson buried a 40-footer at the buzzer to tie the score at 57-all and send the contest into overtime. It was all Thompson in the extra period as he scored 12 of Pepperdine's 13 points in five minutes, handing the Toreros a gut wrenching 70-63 loss. Senior captain Devin Ginty did all he could on the night scoring a new career-high 23 points as he canned five three pointers.
For Pepperdine, Thompson finished the night with 25 points despite being held to 2 points in the first half as the game was locked at 29-all at the intermission. In the second half USD built up its lead to 7 points at 46-39 with 9:43 to go, but Pepperdine battled back over the next four minutes to go ahead 52-50 on a Dane Suttle three-pointer.
Over the final five minutes of regulation, Chris Gabriel put USD ahead 53-52 by making the first of two free throws. Joshua Lowery answered with a jumper to put Pepperdine back up by one, but Gabriel scored a minute later on a strong move inside to give USD a 55-54 edge with 1:49 left. Matt Dorr drove the lane for two to give USD a three point cushion at 57-54 with forty ticks left. Pepperdine's Lorne Jackson missed two three-point attempts at the other end and Gabriel corralled the rebound with 4 seconds left and was fouled by Thompson. Gabriel missed the front end of the one-on-one, which set up Thompson's heroics at the buzzer.
For USD (5-19; 1-8), Ginty was followed by Matt Dorr (14 points) and Chris Gabriel (11 points, 11 rebounds). The 11 rebounds is a new high for Gabriel, and he becomes the first Torero to notch a double-double this season. For Pepperdine, Thompson was followed by Taylor Darby (14 points) and Jackson (11 points). As a team, USD outrebounded the Waves 34-30, but 18 turnovers did not help their cause.
USD will now try to regroup before heading up to the bay area this coming week where they will take on the USF Dons on Thursday, and the Santa Clara Broncos on Saturday.
