SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Behind a balanced offensive attack, and strong defensive pressure, the University of San Diego women's basketball team picked up a 75-62 win over Gonzaga University Thursday evening in a crucial West Coast Conference game at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
With the win, the Toreros improve to 22-5 overall, remain in a tie for second place in the WCC, and currently are the No. 2 seed in the WCC Tournament, if the season ended tonight. USD also snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Bulldogs with this win, and this was USD's first regular-season win against Gonzaga since the 2002-03 season, a 75-65 USD win in Spokane in overtime. With the loss, the Zags fall to 22-6 overall, drop to 15-32 in the WCC, and have lost back-to-back WCC games for the first time since the 2009-10 season.
Katherine Hamilton led the Toreros in scoring with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, while also pulling down four rebounds. Katelyn McDaniel also had an outstanding game, as she recorded 15 points in 6-of-11 shooting, while pulling down five rebounds. Sophia Ederaine continued her late season dominance, as she recorded her 15th double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while also recording six blocks, pulling her to just six shy of tying the USD single-season record. Maya Hood also was all over the glass, as she had nine rebounds, and chipped in with five points.
As a team, USD shot 43.1% from the field, while holding the Zags to 40.0% shooting. USD outrebounded the Bulldogs 39-35, and USD only turned the ball over 11 times, while the Zags committed 14 turnovers that led to 20 USD points.
For the Zags, Sunny Greinacher led the way as she had 15 points and pulled down nine rebounds, while Shelby Cheslek recorded 13 points and both Keani Albanez and Elle Tinkle each chipped in with 11 points.
After USD took a three-point lead into the break, the two teams would sea saw back and forth over the first 6:45 of the second frame, until GU finally tied things up at 41-all with 13:17 to go.
USD then hit back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers to break open the game and give San Diego a 9-point edge at 50-41, forcing the Zags to use a timeout with 10:50 to go.
USD never looked back, as they only dipped below a double-digit lead two more times for the remainder of the game, and cruised its way to the 13-point win.
The Toreros will return to action on Saturday, as they host the University of Portland in a 2 p.m. game. This is a must win for the Toreros, if they should win, they will secure the No. 2 seed in the WCC Tournament. USD will also honor its four seniors in a pregame ceremony.
