Final Stats

Box Score

SAN FRANCISCO - Aubrey Ward-El scored a season-high 24 points to lead San Diego to a 60-54 conference-opening victory at San Francisco on Thursday night.

Ward-El put up 13 points in the first half and finished strong with 11 in the second to guide the Toreros (8-4, 1-0 WCC) to victory. Her 24 points were just two shy of her career-best of 26, scored against BYU on Jan. 14, 2017.

Maya Hood chipped in 12 points, while Myah Pace and Sydney Williams added eight apiece. Ward-El and Hood led USD with nine rebounds and three steals apiece.

The Toreros played well defensively, forcing 20 Dons (5-7, 0-1 WCC) turnovers and turning the extra possessions into 14 points.

USD was held to 33 percent shooting on the night but connected on four-of-11 three-pointers and did well to get to the free-throw line, converting 12-of-16 free throws.

The Toreros fell behind early as USF jumped out to an 11-4 lead to open the contest. USD went on an 11-4 run of its own to level the score at 15-15 with 1:11 to play in the first quarter. The Toreros found their rhythm in the second quarter and took a 36-26 point lead into halftime.

USD led by as much as 12 points twice in the third quarter and took a comfortable 48-38 lead into the final stanza. However, the Dons rallied and cut the Toreros advantage to 53-49 with 4:26 to play.

Alexandra Hagen and Pace combined to go 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final minute and a half to secure the victory for USD.

The Toreros will look to continue their momentum Saturday at 1 p.m. PT when it continues its road trip at Pepperdine.