Box Score

USDvsBYUboxJan14

San Diego, Calif. -- The USD Toreros turned in an outstanding effort tonight in dealing the visiting BYU Cougars an 88-75 loss before 2,206 fans at the JCP. The Toreros, who had dropped close home contests their last two times out, were at their best down the stretch tonight in closing out the win. USD improves to 9-9 overall and 2-4 in WCC play.

"We knew our backs were against the wall after dropping two close home games and knowing the importance of wining your home league games and protecting your home floor," said head coach Lamont Smith. "I thought Cameron (Neubauer) was the difference maker tonight. He did a good job locking in on Eric Mika, and at the other end he had an outstanding game and the players did a good job getting him the ball down the stretch. This is a program win for us and it equals the amount of wins from last year. More importantly it gives our guys some belief and confidence and hopefully we can build on this. As you know it doesn't get any easier on the road and we play a very good team in LMU on Thursday."

In the first half, behind 14 points from Olin Carter III, jumped out to a 16-11 lead with 10:15 to go. In the first ten minutes of action Carter made 4-of-6 shots overall and 3-of-4 beyond the arc to go with 3-for-3 at the line. Buckets by Brett Bailey, and Carter again, would push USD's lead to 20-14 before L.J. Rose scored inside and Davin Guinn connected on a three ball from the top for the Cougars to get within 20-19. A Cameron Neubauer three and two free throws from Juwan Gray would keep the Toreros ahead 25-23 just inside the 4-minute mark. Back-to-back buckets from Bailey made it 29-24. BYU's TJ Haws answered with a trey, but Cameron Neubauer made his own for a 32-27 advantage. Haws' would connect again behind the arc to make it 34-32 Toreros and that score would stand heading into the halftime break. Carter would finish with 16 points followed by 8 points from Neubauer.

In the second half BYU jumped out to a 44-39 behind the scoring of TJ Haws who scored 9 points of the team's 12 points out of the break. Carter and Neubauer would add three balls of their own to get USD within 49-47. A Bailey three just inside of 10 minutes to go would give USD a 55-54 lead, and a Carter three would put the Toreros ahead 58-57 at 9:11. A 7-0 Torero run (5 points from Neubauer) gave USD a 66-60 lead before TJ Haws connected on the team's 9th three-pointer.

Over the final five minutes of action the Toreros outscored the Cougars 22-12 with Neubauer and Bailey leading the way with 6 points each. USD converted 13-of-16 free throws during that time span. Following Carter and Neubauer in the scoring column was Brett Bailey (16 points) and Juwan Gray (10 points, 9 rebounds). USD shot 48.2% from the field and 57.1% beyond the arc (12-21). USD dished out 17 assists on their 27 baskets and were within three rebounds of the Cougars (38-35). BYU was paced by TJ Haws with 27 points (6-12 in 3-pointers). The Torero defense held BYU to 38.9% shooting in the second half (14-36).

USD hits the road for their next contest with a Thursday night game at LMU on January 19th. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm. The Toreros return to the JCP on Saturday, January 21st, for a 6:05 p.m. contest against the USF Dons.