SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's basketball program (2-1, 0-0 WCC) fought through a back-and-forth affair, but ultimately dropped a tight, 58-50, decision to USC (3-0, 0-0 PAC-12) on Tuesday night at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Myah Pace led the way on offense for the Toreros, with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while adding three rebounds.
Kiera Oakry added 12 points, while
Laura Erikstrup tallied 10 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In a game that featured strong defense on both sides, the Toreros were able to jump in front with a 26-25 lead in the first half.
- San Diego held the Trojans to just 9-for-26 (34.6%) shooting in the opening half and Oakry had eight of her 12 points to pace the offense.
- As the second quarter ended, Pace began to find her rhythm. The Oakland, Calif., native added a tough layup to end the first half and kept the momentum going.
- In the third, the Trojans created a bit of separation, but the Toreros picked up the defensive intensity.
- Freshman Veronica Sheffey provided a spark with a pair of buckets off the bench and Amanda Olinger added a basket and a block back-to-back, with the Toreros finishing the third quarter down 41-40.
- A Kasey Neubert jumper gave the Toreros a 44-43 lead, but that was the last time the Toreros would lead, as the Trojans went on an 8-2 run.
- Pace tried her best to will the team back into the game, making several clutch baskets, but USC's Destiny Littleton scored the last five points to put the game away.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Erikstrup matched a career-high in rebounds with 10.
- San Diego has now won the rebounding margin for the third consecutive game and for the second time by 10 or more this year.
- The Toreros fall to 0-4 against the Trojans in the all-time series.
- The game featured 16 lead changes between the two teams.
UP NEXT
The Toreros are set to fly to Manoa, Hawaii, for the Bank of Hawaii Classic, hosted by the University of Hawaii. San Diego will match up against Lipscomb on Friday at 2:30 p.m. PT and Florida Gulf Coast on Sunday at 3 p.m. PT.
