Box Score SAN DIEGO – Patricia Brossmann was one point shy of her career-high to pace San Diego to an 83-82 victory over Cleveland State on Friday afternoon.
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The Toreros (2-2) held off a late surge by the Vikings (3-3) in the fourth quarter to secure a win in the opening game of the USD Thanksgiving Tournament.
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Five Toreros put up double-digits led by Brossman with 20 points, who also tied for second on the team in rebounds with 8.
Myah Pace (16),
Sydney Shepard (14),
Madison Pollock (13) and
Leticia Soares (11) all contributed to USD's highest scoring game of the season.
San Diego stormed out to an early 13-0 lead after Brossmann put up three straight layups to start the game. The Toreros took a 20-13 lead at the end of the first but the Vikings answered, outscoring the Toreros 23-18 in the second period and pulling within three. USD went into the locker room at halftime with a 38-35 lead.
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Shepard found her rhythm from behind the arc in the third and went 4-of-5, including a series of three baskets in two minutes. Cleveland State stayed close, led by Jade Ely, who finished the day with a team-high 33 points.
Shepard sank her fourth three-pointer with 27 seconds left in the third to put the Toreros up 60-56 going into the final period.Â
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With under eight minutes remaining, the Vikings went on a 9-2 to bring the teams even at 70-70. But Brossmann put up a key jumper and the Toreros went 7-of-8 from the line to hold off Cleveland State and secure their second win of the season.
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Pace led the Toreros off the boards, collecting nine rebounds, including five offensive rebounds.  Brossmann and Soares each contributed eight rebounds and Shepard had a team-high six assists.
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The Toreros are back in action Saturday when they take on No. 18 California at 4 p.m. to conclude the USD Thanksgiving Tournament.
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