CEDAR CITY, Utah – Patricia Brossmann put up a team-high 21 points and six rebounds but it wasn't quite enough as San Diego fell to Southern Utah, 69-59, on Wednesday night in its season opener. 
 
San Diego (0-1) dominated the paint, outscoring Southern Utah (1-0) 38-22. In addition to Brossmann, two other Toreros reached double digits. Myah Pace finished the night with 12 points, two rebounds and six assists and Kendall Bird added 11 points and five rebounds. 
 
The Toreros shot 46 percent from the field compared to SUU's 41 percent, however San Diego was held to just 25 percent shooting from behind the arc.
 
USD took an early 16-12 lead in the first period and controlled the ball for the majority of the first half, but the Thunderbirds sank two layups in the final 90 seconds of the half to hold the slim advantage, 31-29. 
 
The game remained close with 11 ties and 15 lead changes before the Thunderbirds pulled away on an 8-4 run to end the third quarter with a 46-42 lead. 
 
The Toreros tied it up 48-48 with 8:30 to go behind a Pace jumper and two Brossmann layups. However, the Thunderbirds quickly regained the lead and never looked back, outscoring the Toreros 23-17 in the final period to secure the win.
 
San Diego will host its home opener on Sunday against Hawai'I at 2 p.m. at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.