SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's basketball program (6-7, 0-2 WCC) returns from the holiday break for two games in WCC play, hosting Saint Mary's (7-5, 1-0 WCC) on Thursday at 6 p.m., and ending 2022 with a game against Pacific (5-7, 0-1 WCC) on Saturday at 2 p.m., in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
 
LAST TIME OUT

• San Diego held a late third quarter lead against No. 22 Gonzaga, but could not hang on, falling 70-59 in Spokane, Wash., on Dec. 19.
• Myah Pace led the offense with 10 points, while Washington native Veronica Sheffey added nine points.
• The Toreros were strong with the ball, matching a season-low in turnovers and finished with a higher shooting percentage than the Bulldogs, while holding them to just 37.1 percent shooting.  

 
OPPONENT HISTORY

• The Toreros are seeking to snap a two-game losing streak to the Gaels, trailing in the all-time series 21-47.
• San Diego is 20-11 all-time against Pacific, having won the last two matchups. In the last meeting, Steph Gorman exploded for 23 points in an 87-80 win.  

 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• Laura Erikstrup has found her rhythm on the boards as of late, averaging 7.0 rebounds per game over her last five games.
• The Toreros continue to turn defense into offense, as they rank third in the WCC in scoring defense at 62.0 and are in third in turnovers forced per game (15.8).
• The Toreros also rank second in the WCC in offensive rebounds per game (13.8) which ranks 67th in the nation and rank 87th in the nation in rebounding margin (5.2).
• San Diego is hoping to jump out to an early lead, where they tend to have the most success. San Diego is 6-2 when leading or tied at halftime, while 0-5 when they trail.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Kiera Oakry has been adept at drawing contact all season and has gotten to the free throw line frequently, ranking sixth in the WCC in made free throws (44).
• Pace is closing in on several milestones in her highly successful Torero career, sitting just 32 points away from 1,000 and 30 steals away from 250 in her career.
• In addition, Pace ranks fifth all-time in career steals with 220 and is two away from passing Amy Kame for fourth place.
• Pace is also tenth all-time in assists at 322 and is five away from passing Angie Straub (326) for ninth and moving into a tie for eighth with Kame at 327.

 
HOW TO FOLLOW
Both games will be streamed via the WCC Network, with live stats provided by statbroadcast. To stay up to date with Toreros women's basketball, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDwbb".