Jan. 16, 2012

Box Score

SAN DIEGO - The University of San Diego hung tough with the BYU Cougars for much of the first half, but the Cougars' sharp shooting was eventually too much in an 82-63 defeat.

The Toreros (6-11, 1-4 WCC) opened the game on 9-2 run and the Cougars clawed their way back and had their first lead 19-17 with 9:47 remaining. Dennis Kramer came to play for the Toreros from tip-off. He had 13 points, 6 rebounds and two blocks in the first half with some polished interior post moves.

Kramer tied career-highs with points (15) and blocks (four) and also pulled in eight rebounds.

"I was very pleased with the way Dennis came out," San Diego head coach Bill Grier said. "He gave us the interior presence we need and I've said all along with him, it's not an ability thing, it's a mentality thing, and tonight he made the team better."

USD trimmed the lead to 25-27 with 4:23 remaining in the first half, but the Cougars (16-4, 5-1 WCC) got their biggest lead of the half at 37-29 after a Brock Zylstra three-pointer in the final seconds.

The Toreros did a good job defensively on BYU's Brandon Davies in the first half, limiting him to just four points. He came into the game averaging 19.8 points per game in conference play. He finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

BYU's three-point shooting was the story of the night. The Cougars converted 11-of-24 (45.8 percent) from outside.

"They have very good interior play and they shot the ball very well. You kind of have to pick your poison with them," Grier said. "It's hard to beat a team anytime you give up eleven three-pointers."

Zylstra was dialed in all evening from the perimeter, knocking down five of his eight three-point attempts as part of his game-high 17 points.

Johnny Dee and Christopher Anderson both finished in double digits for the Toreros with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Toreros continue conference play this week on the road with games Thursday at Portland (8 p.m.) and Saturday at Gonzaga (5 p.m.).