Feb. 15, 2014

Final Stats

(Stockton, Calif.) - Propelled by a big first half that saw USD take a 44-23 intermission lead, the Toreros came away with a big 70-55 victory over the Pacific Tigers. In a season that has seen the majority of USD's points come from the starters, tonight USD received a huge lift from the bench as the reserves contributed 29 points. Johnny Dee scored a game-high 19 points, but the Torero bench, led by reserve Nick Kerr (12 points), was the key as they outscored Pacific's reserves, 29-12. Pacific came into the game averaging 76.1 points per game and the Toreros were able to hold them to a season-low 55 points.

In the first half guard Nick Kerr came off the bench to hit 4-of-5 threes to help USD to a commanding 44-23 intermission lead. With Duda Sanadze out of the lineup (ankle), freshman Brett Bailey started and helped USD jump out to a solid start as he scored 6 of the team's first 10 points. In addition to some excellent team defense, the Toreros received some additional solid play off the bench Thomas Jacobs (4 points, 4 rebounds) and Simi Fajemisin. Johnny Dee paced the starters with 9 points as he converted 7-of-7 from the free throw line, and the Toreros dominated the boards 21-9.

Pacific opened with an 8-0 run to start the second half to pull within 44-31, but the Toreros answered with their own 11-0 run to go up 55-31. In the run Christopher Anderson buried two threes and Dee added a bucket and trey. From there the Toreros were able to maintain a double-digit lead the rest of the way. Anderson, who was held scoreless two nights ago at Saint Mary's, almost pulled off a rare triple double as he finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Jacobs would finish with 6 points and 5 rebounds, Fajemisin would add 5 points and 5 rebounds, and Chris Sarbaugh would add 6 points. Pacific (14-11, 5-9 WCC) was paced by Tony Gill (16 points) and Sama Taku (15 points).

The Toreros (14-14, 5-10) return home to close out their regular-season schedule with a 3-game homestand beginning this Thursday, Feb. 20th, against the Portland Pilots (15-11, 7-7 WCC). Portland defeated Pepperdine earlier today 74-62.