SAN DIEGO – A step back three-pointer with time expiring from fifth year guard Jase Townsend lifted the University of San Diego men's basketball team (5-3) past Longwood (4-4) in dramatic fashion, 71-68.
 
Longwood tied the game with a three-pointer with just over five seconds left. Townsend took the inbounds, dribbled down the left side, and drilled the game-winner from the corner. He ended with 15 points on 6-of-8 from the floor.  
 
Sophomore Wayne McKinney III scored a season-high 15 points in the win to go along with five rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
 
Graduate forward Jaiden Delaire scored in double figures for the third straight game, ending with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block.
 
Senior Marcellus Earlington registered his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
USD improves to 5-3 on the season, and will remain home to face UNLV on Saturday night.     
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Longwood used a 7-0 run to take an early 9-2 lead, but USD answered with a 9-0 run of its own, beginning with a Bendji Pierre triple from the wing.
• Midway through the first half, San Diego got a jumper from Delaire, a steal and layup from McKinney, and two buckets from Earlington to give the Toreros a 19-13 lead.
• With less than six minutes to play in the first, the Toreros rattled off a 7-0 run on two free throws from Delaire, a McKinney triple with the shot clock running down, and a Townsend layup. USD built its largest lead of the first half at 29-19.
•  After the Lancers cut the deficit to four, USD ended the half with another Delaire basket and two McKinney free throws. At the break, San Diego led 34-26.
• Deuce Turner hit a jumper and a three-pointer on back-to-back possessions to put USD up 48-38 early in the second half.
• Longwood used a 12-4 run to tie the game with 3:56 left.
• Two triples from Townsend, a dunk from Delaire, and two McKinney free throws put San Diego on top 68-65 with 16 seconds remaining.
• Longwood inbounded the ball with 15.8 seconds left and hit a three-pointer to tie the game with 5.5 ticks left. With no timeouts, Townsend immediately took the inbound, dribbled along the left side, and drilled the step back game-winner.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Townsend now leads the team with 16.5 points per game.
•  San Diego led for 32:49, while Longwood led for 4:15.
• Sigu Jawara registered five points, five rebounds, and five assists.
• McKinney was just two points off his career high (17 twice).
• Delaire drew eight fouls, while McKinney drew seven.
• The Lancers were 1-of-11 from three-point range in the first half.
• Townsend and Earlington lead the team with seven games in double figures.
• The Toreros held a 37-10 advantage in bench points.

 
UP NEXT
San Diego will host UNLV on Saturday night at 7:00 PM. UNLV holds a 3-0 lead in the all-time series, including an 80-57 win in Vegas last season. Marcellus Earlington scored 14 points in the loss.