Feb. 16, 2012
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of San Diego got their sixth conference win Thursday night with a 78-75 victory at Jenny Craig Pavilion, but it wasn't easy.
The Toreros had their biggest lead of the game at 60-43 with 8:22 remaining, but the Portland Pilots (6-20, 3-10 WCC) closed the game on a 22-5 run to close regulation and sent the game into overtime on a Kevin Bailey three-pointer at the buzzer.
"I think we're a little tired," San Diego head coach Bill Grier said. "Especially in those last ten minutes, I think we were playing not to lose instead of playing to win."
San Diego (11-15, 6-8 WCC) opened overtime on 8-2 run as Dennis Kramer scored six of his season-high 22 points in overtime. Kramer also knocked in a game-high three three-pointers and pulled down 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
Christopher Anderson also had his first double-double of the season (10 points, 13 assists). His 13 assists fell one shy of the USD single-game record of 14 held by Mike McGrain ('03-04) and Stan Washington ('73-74).
Anderson needed nine assists to set the Torero single season freshman mark, and he almost reached that number before halftime with eight first half assists. Thirty seconds into the second half, Anderson found Dee on a fast break and Dee finished with a three-point play to set the record.
Anderson, who also had five steals tonight, has 26 assists in the last three games. The first half consisted of five lead changes and the score was tied seven times. The Toreros shot 51.9% in the first half and went into the locker room at halftime with a 33-26 lead.
The Toreros did a good job defensively on Pilots' leading scorer Ryan Nicholas in the first half, limiting him to just four points. Nicholas came into the game averaging 11.3 points per game in conference play and finished with 10.
Kevin Bailey paced the Pilots with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, none bigger than his three-pointer at the end of regulation.
"You got to give credit to Portland," Grier said. "They kept playing and battling and got that thing into overtime. We were fortunate to survive."
The Toreros travel to Cal State Bakersfield this Saturday for a 7 p.m. tip off.
