Dec. 30, 2013
Box Score
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Behind a career-high of 27 points from sophomore guard Malina Hood, the University of San Diego women's basketball team picked up their 13th consecutive win, with a 86-63 decision over Loyola Marymount University Monday evening at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
With the win, the Toreros improve to 13-0 overall, move to 2-0 in the WCC, extend the programs longest winning streak to 13, remain one of seven undefeated Division I schools in the country, and match the 2011 USD women's volleyball team for best start of any sport in Toreros history at the Division I level. With the loss, the Lions fall to 3-10 overall and 0-2 in the WCC.
Hood's career-high 27 points came on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, including hitting on five three-pointers, while also recording three rebounds, and one assist. Alysse Barlow tied her career-high with 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field, while recording two rebounds, dishing out two assists and recording one steal. The final Torero in double figures was Felicia Wijenberg, who had 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting from the field, and she fell just one rebound shy of a double-double with nine total boards. Brooke Jelniker and Amy Kame both added in nine points, while Sophia Ederaine led all payers with 12 rebounds and she had a season-high four blocks. As a team, USD shot 45.0% from the field and held a decisive 52-36 advantage on the boards.
In the first half, a Kame jumper sparked a 9-0 Torero run over a three minute span to give USD all the momentum and a 9-2 lead with 16:16 to go. San Diego continued to hold the upper hand, despite a very physical game, and eventually moved their lead to nine at 16-7 on a pair of Jelniker free throws with 14:18 to go. The Lions then went on a run of their own, as they used a 5-0 spurt to pull to within six at 16-10 with 13:02 to go. The two teams then battled back and forth a bit over the next few possessions, and with USD leading 22-16, a Hood 3-pointer sparked a 5-0 USD run to give the Toreros their first double-digit lead of the game at 27-16 with 8:22 to go. USD would then slowly begin to pull away and led by as many at 17, before settling for a 45-29 advantage heading into the break.
In the second half, LMU came out of the break on fire, and quickly cut the lead down to eight at 50-42 on a Hazel Ramirez lay-up with 16:24 to go. But USD did not panic, as a Hood 3-pointer would jump start a 17-0 Toreros run to give USD all the momentum and a 67-42 lead. The Toreros never looked back, as they would cruise their way to a 23-point win at 86-63.
The Toreros will return to action on Thursday, as they welcome the Saint Mary's College Gaels to town for a WCC battle inside the friendly confines of the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
