SAN DIEGO – San Diego led Pepperdine with 3:16 remaining but could not hold on down the stretch, falling to the Waves 76-71 on Saturday afternoon at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
 
The Toreros (12-6, 1-2 WCC) trailed by four at halftime and as many as eight early in the second half but erased the deficit with 9:24 to play in the game.
 
USD took its first lead of the second half on a layup by Isaiah Pineiro with 8:07 on the clock. However, the Toreros would convert just two more shots from the field the remainder of the game. Pineiro's basket was the first of four lead changes in the final nine minutes.
 
The Toreros led as late as 3:16 when Colbey Ross knocked down a pair of free throws to tie the score, 63-63. Ross converted a layup on Pepperdine's next offensive possession to give the Waves a lead they would not relinquish the remainder of the game. Pepperdine went 10-of-10 from the free throw line in the final 3:16 to seal the 76-71 decision.
 
It is the first home loss for the Toreros (12-6, 1-2 WCC) which entered the game with a 9-0 mark.

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Already playing without starting point guard, Isaiah Wright, the Toreros had to battle through additional injuries with Alex Floresca leaving the game in the first half and Olin Carter III missing the final 10:27. Playing without Carter III was particularly tough as he was heating up in the second half, scoring eight of his 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
 
Isaiah Pineiro led the Toreros with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field. He also chipped in five rebounds.
 
Tyler Williams and Finn Sullivan also hit double-digits in scoring with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
 
Yauhen Massalski led the Toreros with seven rebounds, while Joey Calcaterra dished out a career-best six assists.
 
USD was better that the Waves statistically in a majority of categories but were undone by 15 turnovers and a 4-of-18 clip from 3-point range.
 
The Toreros will look to get back on track during a pair of road games next week at Portland and Saint Mary's.