Dec. 28, 2013

Box Score

Felicia Wijenberg.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Behind a career-day from senior forward Felicia Wijenberg, the University of San Diego women's basketball team remained undefeated, cruising past Pepperdine University, 71-43, in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

With the win, the Toreros improve their best start in program history at 12-0, move to 1-0 in WCC play, extend the programs longest winning streak to 12, and remain one of seven undefeated Division I schools in the country. With the loss, the Waves fall to 4-8 overall and 0-1 in the WCC.

Wijenberg scored a career-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the field, while pulling down a career-high 14 rebounds to post her first double-double of the season. Amy Kame was the second Torero in double figures, as the senior guard scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, while pulling down seven rebounds. Brooke Jelniker recorded a carer-high 11 rebounds, while Sophia Ederaine had eight points and Malina Hoodadded in seven points. As a team, USD shot 45.6% from the field, and out rebounded the Waves 48-39.

In the first half, it was a back and forth affair in the early going, with the Toreros grabbing the first basket of the game, never surrendering the lead, and only allowing Pepperidne to tie the game up once, at 4-all. Then with USD leading 14-11, a Wijenberg lay-up sparked an 11-0 Torero run over the course of five minutes to give USD a 25-11 lead with 5:47 to go. The Waves could not recover from this deficit, as they went into the break down 13 at 33-20.

In the second half, San Diego came out firing on all cylinders, and went on a 8-2 run over the first five minutes of action, to grab a 17-point lead at 41-24 with 15:06 to go. USD never looked back, as they continued to pull further and further ahead, and eventually defeated the Waves by 28, at 71-43.

The Toreros will return to action on Monday, as they host Loyola Marymount University in 6 p.m. WCC game inside the friendly confines of the Jenny Craig Pavilion.