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(San Diego, Calif.) - The USD Toreros battled the No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs to the end but came up short in falling 60-48 before 4,517 fans at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Senior guard Johnny Dee scored fifteen of his game-high 20 points in the second half to pull to within seven points of setting a new USD all-time scoring record, but despite playing tough defense the Toreros were unable to get untracked on the offensive end of the floor. Bulldog forward Kyle Wiltjer paced the Zags with 15 points as they improve to 13-1 on the season and 2-0 in the WCC.

In the first half USD made just 6-of-26 shots from the field in falling behind 35-20 at the intermission break. Gonzaga's Kevin Pangos buried a three with 1:03 left in the first period for a 35-17 advantage, but USD's Brett Bailey canned a trey with 46 ticks left for the 15-point halftime deficit.

In the second half Gonzaga would pull away to a 52-30 lead with 10:01 to go on a Byron Wesley jumper and it looked like the Zags were going to run away with the contest. The Toreros kept battling and rallied to get within single digits at 54-45 on a Dee lay-in with 1:56 to go. Wesley answered with his own lay-up and Gonzaga held their double-digit lead in closing out the 12-point win. Wiltjer was followed in double-digit scoring by Wesley (12 points) and Pangos (10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists).

USD, which shot just 26.8% for the game (15-56), was also paced in the rebounding department by Dee who gathered in 8 boards. Point guard Christopher Anderson, despite not scoring, chipped in with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Duda Sanadze gave the Toreros an early spark with 7 points, while Chris Sarbaugh hustled his way to 6 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.

USD (7-7, 0-2 WCC) hits the road this week with games at USF (Jan. 1, 7pm) and Santa Clara (Jan. 3, 7pm).