LAS VEGAS—San Diego had three players reach double-digit scoring in a 63-59 loss to Santa Clara in the opening round of the WCC Tournament on Thursday.
 
The Toreros (9-21, 2-17 WCC) led for the majority of the contest before the Broncos (14-16, 6-12 WCC) went on a 15-1 run beginning at the end of the third period to take the lead. 
 
Patricia Brossmann paced the Toreros with 14 points and tied Leticia Soares with a team-high eight rebounds. Soares added 13 points and Madison Pollock chipped in 12 points and four assists. 
 
Kiera Oakry collected seven rebounds including four offensive boards and added four assists.
 
The Broncos jumped out to an 8-4 lead the but Toreros kept it close and ended the first quarter on a 6-0 run to take the lead, 20-16. USD stayed steady in the second quarter shooting 43% to lead 34-29 at the half.
 
Brossmann and Soares each contributed 11 points in the first half to lead San Diego at the break.
 
The Toreros continued their run in the second half, extending the lead to as many as 10 behind an 8-point run to lead 50-40 with a little over a minute remaining in the third period. The Broncos answered with a 3-pointer which sparked a 15-1 run into the beginning of the fourth quarter.
 
Santa Clara went 4-of-7 (57 percent) from the field and knocked down 9-of-14 from the free-throw line to outscored the Toreros 18-8 in the final period and secure the win and end USD's season.
 
San Diego shot 33 percent in the game and outscored the Broncos 17-4 in second chance points. The Toreros won the rebound battle 44-36 including 17 offensive boards. SCU collected eight steals and 10 blocks in the contest and scored 16 points off of turnovers.
 
The Toreros will return four starters next season and will look to get back six athletes who were lost to injury earlier this year.