SAN DIEGO – The San Diego men's basketball team (6-5) never trailed in a win over Cal Lutheran (7-2) on Saturday night, defeating the Kingsmen, 84-55.
 
Senior Marcellus Earlington compiled an impressive 23 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the win, shooting 9-of-16 from the floor.
 
After starting his first game of the season, freshman Wayne McKinney III scored 17 points for the second consecutive game, going 4-of-8 from three-point range. The Coronado grad added a season-high five assists.
 
Also earning his first career start, sophomore TJ Berger compiled a career-high 13 points and seven rebounds, including three triples.
 
Sophomore Bryce Monroe pitched in 11 points (2-of-3 3FG), five rebounds, and three assists.
 
San Diego improves to 6-5 on the season, and will face Northern Arizona in the Colangelo Classic next Saturday.    
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Berger buried back-to-back triples to give USD an early 6-0 lead. Earlington hit a three of his own followed by a layup to make it 11-2.
• 15 of USD's first 17 points came from three-pointers.
• Led by three Berger triples and a dominant Earlington, San Diego took a 32-23 advantage at half. Earlington compiled 12 points and 13 rebounds in the first 20 minutes.
• San Diego used an 8-0 run early in the second half to go ahead 43-27.
• USD made 10 straight field goals, including three from McKinney, to jump ahead 79-50.
• A late layup and three-pointer from Yavuz Gultekin sealed the 29-point win.

TORERO TIDBITS

• Earlington's 16 rebounds are tied for 11^th in program history for a single game. He was two points shy of his career high of 25 while at St. John's. Earlington leads the Toreros with 12.8 points per game.
• Over the last two games, McKinney III has registered 34 points (11-18 FG, 7-14 3FG), seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.
• Berger went into double-figures for the first time in his career. The sophomore played 33 minutes in the win.
• USD shot 32-62 (51.6%) from the field, 12-28 (42.9%) from three, and 8-11 (72.7%) from the free throw line.
• Vladimir Pinchuk compiled nine points, four rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.
• Gultekin ended with eight points and five rebounds.
• Freshman Muon Reath made his second three-pointer of the season.

UP NEXT
USD will face Northern Arizona in the Colangelo Classic next Saturday at 8:00 PM. The game will be played in the Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. The Toreros hold a 10-8 lead in the all-time series.