LOS ANGELES - Isaiah Wright made three consecutive layups in the final 2:05 to lead San Diego to a 65-63 comeback victory at Loyola Marymount on Thursday night.
With the Toreros trailing by three with less than 2:30 to play, Wright went straight to the hoop three possessions in a row and converted layup on each trip. He converted his third layup with 37 seconds remaining gave the Toreros (16-8, 5-4 WCC) a one-point lead, 64-63.
Yauhen Massalski converted a free throw with 14 seconds remaining to give USD a two-point edge.
A last-second 3-point attempt by the Lions (16-8, 4-6 WCC) James Batemon bounced off the backboard, off the front end of the rim and out.
Olin Carter III returned to USD's lineup for the first time since Jan. 12 after missing the past five games due to an abdominal injury and led the Toreros with 15 points. He got going early, hitting each of his first three shots, including two from behind the arc.
Wright finished the night with 14 points and dished out a game-high seven assists.
Isaiah Pineiro registered his ninth double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds. He did most of his damage from the free throw line, converting 7-of-9 attempts.
Wright and Pineiro played all 40 minutes. It was the fourth consecutive 40-minute performance by Wright and the second straight for Pineiro.
Yauhen Massalski recorded his third double-double of the year with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Finn Sullivan contributed quality minutes off the bench and hit a big shot with 7:31 to play, connecting on a 3-pointer to tie the game at, 48-48.
The Toreros had trouble slowing down LMU's offense early and had to weather a 17-2 run midway through the first half. Batemon had 11 points in the first half and Dameane Douglas added eight. LMU went 5-of-8 on 3-point attempts.
The Toreros adjusted well in the second half, holding Batemon to zero points and limiting the Lions to 2-of-7 from behind the arc. Douglas finished with a team-high 15 points.
USD will look to continue its momentum Saturday at 1 p.m. PT when it travels to Pepperdine.
