NORTHRIDGE, CA – Shooting 52.9% from long range, CSUN (3-8) defeated the University of San Diego men's basketball team (7-7) on Thursday, 83-78.
 
Junior Sigu Sisoho Jawara led the Toreros with 25 points (10-11 FT), including 20 in the second half. He added three rebounds, three assists, four steals, and a block.
 
Fifth year guard Marcellus Earlington also scored 20+ points for the second straight game, contributing 22 (11-12 FT) and seven rebounds in the loss.
 
Graduate guard Eric Williams Jr. narrowly missed his eighth double-double of the season, ending with 15 points and nine rebounds.
 
USD drops to 7-7 on the season, and will travel to Saint Mary's for the WCC opener on December 29.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• San Diego took an early 8-4 lead behind a three-point play from Earlington and a Williams triple.
• CSUN started to heat up from long range midway through the opening half, making four in less than five minutes to go ahead 23-14.
• Five points from Williams and an Earlington layup capped a 7-0 USD run to get within two.
• After the Matadors took a 32-26 advantage, the Toreros scored the last seven points of the half, including five from Earlington, to take a one-point lead at the break.
• The Matadors began the second half on a 9-0 run. After a Jawara jumper, CSUN scored the next six to go ahead 47-35.
• CSUN built its largest lead of the game (14) with 13:23 left in the second half, but San Diego battled back with a 7-0 run, including five from Williams.
• From the 6:45 mark to 4:00, each team made six free throws.
• Jawara scored 14 points over the final 3:38, but the Matadors held on for the win.

 TORERO TIDBITS

• San Diego went 29-of-34 (85.3%) from the free throw line.
• Through 12 games played, Jawara is averaging 13.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
• Williams Jr. is leading the team with 15.4 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. He leads the WCC in rebounding and double-doubles.
• Earlington went into double figures for the 12^th time this season, which leads the team.
• McKinney and Turner each added seven points.
• USD held a 33-22 advantage in fast break points. The Toreros entered the contest ranked 22^nd nationally in fast break points per game (16.69).
• The Toreros shot 5-of-21 (23.8%) from three-point range.

 UP NEXT
San Diego will begin conference play at Saint Mary's next Thursday, December 29. SMC holds a 56-36 lead in the all-time series, including two wins last season.