USDvsSCUbox2016

SAN DIEGO -- Junior forward Brett Bailey poured in a career-high 22 points to go with a game-high 8 rebounds but USD came up short in falling to the Santa Clara Broncos 65-53 at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The SCU Broncos received 17 points from forward Nate Kratch and the team shot 51.1% from the field. USD (5-10, 0-4) will begin a 4-game road stretch next Thursday at Portland.

"We can't let opposing teams shoot over fifty percent from the field, especially in our gym, and expect to win," said head coach Lamont Smith. "Brett Bailey had his best game as a Torero yet with 22 points and 8 rebounds. We'll get back at it on Monday and get ready for Portland next week."

Santa Clara led 32-36 at the half on 14-27 shooting with Kratch leading the way with 12 points. Bailey had half of his 22 at the intermission break. In the second half USD pulled to within one at 33-32 at the 17:47 mark, but the Broncos pulled ahead by 14 over the next 8 ½ minutes to gain control of the contest. SCU was able to hold onto a double-digit lead the rest of the way. USD did an admirable job on guard Jared Brownridge (12 points), the league's No. 2 scorer coming into the contest at 20.2 ppg.

USD was without the services of sophomore guard Marcus Harris who sustained an eye injury late in the USF contest. Senior Duda Sanadze returned after missing the USF game due to illness; he scored 3 points and his game was definitely off after missing most of last week's practice time.

USD heads to the Pacific Northest next week for games at Portland (Jan. 14) and Gonzaga (Jan. 16).