SAN DIEGO - Isaiah Pineiro recorded his third double-double of the year and hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers down the stretch to propel San Diego to a 61-58 victory against Grand Canyon on Saturday night at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
 
With the Toreros (11-4) trailing by one point with 2:20 to play, Pineiro drained a 3-pointer with less than 10 seconds remaining on the shot clock to put USD back in front, 58-56.
 
After the Lopes (7-6) Alessandro Lever knocked down a pair of free throws with 1:15 remaining to tie the game, Pinero delivered the deciding basket when he connected on his second 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to retake the lead, 61-58.
 
Pineiro finished the game with 17 points and tied his career high of 12 rebounds.
 
Olin Carter III led the Toreros with 19 points and tied his career high of seven rebounds. It was the fourth consecutive game Carter III has registered 18 or more points.
 
Tyler Williams tied his season high of eight rebounds and added a team-high four assists and eight points.
 
The Toreros improved to 8-0 at home this season and concluded its nonconference slate with an 11-4 record.

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It was a defensive battle early on with both teams shooting under 40 percent in the first half. USD broke through in the second half, shooting 50 percent to GCU's 42 percent.
 
The Toreros tied their season high of six blocks, led by Yauhen Massalski with three. USD held a 36-28 edge in rebounds.
 
The Toreros got off to a quick start, scoring the game's first four baskets to jump out to an 8-0 lead. Each of USD's starters scored a basket apiece to open the game on a 10-4 run.
 
GCU recovered and went on a 7-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer by Lever, to take its first lead of the night, 13-12.
 
Carter III hit his first triple of the night at 9:04 to retake the lead for the Toreros, 18-15. USD would remain in front the remainder of the half and took a 28-24 advantage into halftime.
 
The Toreros came out hot again to start the second and opened with a 9-4 run in the first three minutes. Massalski gave USD its largest lead of the night when he threw down a monster left-handed dunk at 17:05. He was fouled on the play and converted the free throw to put the Toreros up, 37-28.
 
The Lopes rallied toward the end of the half and went on a 9-0 run to take the lead 52-51 with 4:01 remaining.
 
The advantage was short-lived as Carter III scored on the ensuing possession to put the Toreros back in front, 53-52.
 
Pineiro sealed the decision for USD with a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the final three minutes.
 
The Toreros begin conference play at Santa Clara on Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. PT.