USDvsSDSU2015

SAN DIEGO, CALIF -- The USD Toreros pulled off a stunning victory with today's 53-48 victory over the San Diego State Aztecs in the first collegiate basketball game played at Petco Park. Senior wing Duda Sanadze scored a game-high 15 points and freshman point guard Olin Carter III added 12 points, all coming in the first half. The win snapped SDSU's 9-game winning streak in the City Championship series.

"We grew up today," USD head coach Lamont Smith said in the post-game press conference. "Obviously when you win a game of this magnitude over a tremendous basketball program like San Diego State and Coach Fisher, I think it will help us in recruiting. It will help us in Southern California particularly. I think a lot of people on the West Coast were able to see the game."

It was all USD in the first half as the Toreros took a commanding 31-13 halftime lead. Freshman guard Olin Carter III buried 4-of-5 treys in the first 20 minutes and senior wing Duda Sanadze added 9 points with three of his own long balls. For the half USD made 11-of-29 shots from the floor, but more importantly, connected on 7-of-16 three-pointers. The Torero defense also held the Aztecs to 15.0% shooting (3-20).

In the second half the Sanadze opened with another three ball to extend USD's lead to 34-13. Following a Trey Kell trey for the Aztecs, Torero guard Marcus Harris canned a three-pointer. Over the next eight minutes the Aztecs were able to pull within ten at 43-33 on an old-fashioned three point play from freshman guard Jeremy Hemsley. After Sanadze answered with his fifth three-pointer of the game, the Aztecs made another strong run and pulled to within one at 46-45 on two free throws from Dakari Allen with 1:16 to go.

Over the final minute of play, Jito Kok cashed in on a free throw; freshman Tyler Williams converted two key free throws with 29 seconds left for a 49-45 cushion; and guard Marcus Harris made two free throws with 18 seconds to go for a 51-45 lead. SDSU's Trey Kell buried a three with 11 ticks left, but Brett Bailey sealed in victory with a dunk with one second to go for the final 53-48 margin of victory.

For the game USD turned over the ball just 11 times and finished with 9 steals as they outscored the Aztecs off of turnovers, 13-10. Brett Bailey chipped in with 8 points and 7 rebounds, and Sanadze added 6 rebounds and 5 steals to his game-high 15 points.

USD will put its 3-game winning streak on the line this coming Wednesday, Dec. 9th, when they host Denver in a 7:00 p.m. contest.