LAS VEGAS – Leading for over 38 minutes, the San Diego men's basketball team (4-3) defeated UIC (2-4) on day two of the Las Vegas Classic, 64-52.
Senior forward
Marcellus Earlington led the Toreros with 14 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor. He added six rebounds and a block in 21 minutes.
Redshirt senior guard
Joey Calcaterra poured in 13 points in the win, drilling 5-of-7 shots to go along with a career-high eight rebounds.
Redshirt senior center
Vladimir Pinchuk filled the stat sheet with eight points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
San Diego improves to 4-3 on the season, and will return home on Sunday to face CSUN.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- San Diego jumped out to a 10-5 lead behind three-pointers from Earlington and Calcaterra.
- After UIC cut the deficit to three, USD used an 8-0 run to take a 20-9 advantage. Parrish connected on two layups during the spurt.
- The Flames battled back to cut it to five, but the Toreros quickly scored the next five on free throws from Calcaterra and another Earlington triple.
- Earlington made a layup with less than a minute remaining, and USD took a 35-28 lead into halftime.
- Pinchuk scored three baskets in less than three minutes to put San Diego on top 47-37 with 12:41 left.
- San Diego led by 17 with 6:39 left after an Earlington put-back.
- A late Calcaterra layup matched USD's largest lead of 17. UIC made a jumper and a triple over the last 1:30, but the Toreros held on for the win.
TORERO TIDBITS
- USD shot 10-11 from the free throw line in the first half.
- Monroe, Townsend, Calcaterra, Earlington, and Brown-Soares have started all seven games this season.
- Calcaterra went into double-figures for the team-leading sixth time this season. He was named to the All-Tournament Team for his efforts.
- Jase Townsend added seven points, including 2-2 from the free throw line.
- Josh Parrish ended with seven points (3-4 FG) and four rebounds.
UP NEXT
USD will return home to face California State University Northridge on Sunday. Tip is slated for 3:00 PM PT. The Toreros hold an 18-13 lead in the all-time series, including two straight wins. The team last met in 2018-19, when USD won 82-68.
