Box Score SAN DIEGO—Madison Pollock scored a career-high 27 points and
Patricia Brossmann recorded her 10th double-double of the season in a 77-68 loss to Santa Clara on Thursday.
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The Toreros (8-20, 1-16 WCC) led the majority of the first quarter and trailed by just one point, 32-33, at halftime but the Broncos (13-15, 6-11 WCC) outscored USD 26-16 in the third quarter to separate from San Diego in the second half.
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In addition to Pollock's game-high 27 points, Brossmann and
Kiera Oakry also reached double-digit scoring. Brossmann finished with 16 points including 6-of-7 from the free-throw line and led the team in rebounds (10) and assists (5). Oakry added 10 points off the bench for the Toreros.
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The Toreros came out hot, shooting 53 percent (9-of-17) in the first period led by eight points apiece from Pollock and Brossmann. USD dominated inside, scoring 18 of their 20 points in the paint to take a one-point lead 20-19 at the first break.
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The teams traded the lead in the second period and the Broncos held a slim 33-32 advantage at halftime, but outscored San Diego 26-16 in the third quarter, stretching their lead to as many as 13 points in the period.Â
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San Diego's offense cooled off in the second half, shooting 29 percent (8-of-28) but the Toreros were solid from the free-throw line, hitting 20-of-24 down the stretch.
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Pollock hit two free-throws with 45 seconds left and the Toreros cut the Broncos' lead to six but USD was unable to complete the comeback.
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The Toreros will finish out the regular season at home on Saturday when they play host to San Francisco at 2 p.m. for Senior Day.
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