MINNEAPOLIS – San Diego gave No. 25 Minnesota all it could handle but fell to the Gophers, 53-48, on Saturday night at Williams Arena.
 
Sydney Shepard and Leticia Soares each put up double digits to lead the Toreros (1-2) but a late scoring run by the Gophers (3-0) was too much for USD to overcome.
 
Shepard finished the night with 14 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Soares chipped in 12 points and four rebounds. Madison Pollock and Patricia Brossmann each added seven points for San Diego. 
 
It was a tough defensive battle, with both teams shooting 33 percent from the field. The Toreros went 20-for-60 and 3-of-9 from behind the arc. San Diego registered 10 steals, with the Gophers committing 23 total turnovers in the contest.
 
After a slow start, the Toreros took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Gophers 12-7 to take the halftime lead, 21-17. 
 
USD remained out front for the entire third period, stretching their lead to seven points—their largest of the night. But the Gophers came storming back in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Toreros 24-12 to put the game away. 
 
The Toreros dominated points off the bench, outscoring the Gophers, 14-0. While Minnesota led the way in rebounds 46-37.
 
San Diego is back in action next Friday and Saturday as the Toreros host California, Tulane and Cleveland State for the University of San Diego Thanksgiving Tournament.