SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's basketball program (5-4, 0-0 WCC) used a strong offensive showing from several players to power past Nevada (3-4, 0-0 MWC), 68-62, in the final game of the USD Winter Classic on Sunday at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Kiera Oakry recorded a season-high 18 points, while
Veronica Sheffey notched a career-high 14 points and four steals.
Laura Erikstrup was dominant inside, adding 11 points and nine rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Unlike the USD Winter Classic opener, San Diego came out of the gates hot, shooting 46.2 percent from the field in the opening quarter.
- Sheffey helped spark the early success, scoring five points in the first quarter.
- The Toreros jumped out on a 9-0 run to take a 19-10 advantage, but the Wolfpack would keep it close, as San Diego led 27-25 at the half.
- A three pointer from Oakry opened the half with a bang, but the two sides would trade points for much of the third quarter.
- While dealing with foul trouble, freshman Melesungu Afeaki provided a big boost, finishing with a career-high five points and five rebounds in 16 minutes.
- Afeaki scored the final basket of the third to get a three-point lead. That proved to be the start of a 13-3 run, as the Toreros extended their lead to 57-46.
- Nevada cut the lead back to two, but Erikstrup added another bucket and Sheffey made several free throws to secure the win.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Myah Pace recorded her 500th career rebound in the victory, joining just a handful of guards to ever reach the threshold at San Diego.
- Oakry's 18 points are the most by any Torero this season.
- The Toreros finished with 46 rebounds for the second consecutive game. The Toreros have now recorded five games with over 40 rebounds, after only seven such games last season.
UP NEXT
The Toreros will conclude a five game homestand with a matchup against CSUN on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed via the WCC Network.
