LA JOLLA, Calif. – Local talent Wayne McKinney III totaled a tied-for-game-high 21 points on Saturday night against UC San Diego, but a late 11-1 run from the Tritons
(2-0, 0-0 Big West) dealt San Diego men's basketball
(2-1, 0-0 WCC) its first loss of the 2023-2024 season, a tough 69-63 decision in a crosstown matchup at LionTree arena.
The Coronado High School graduate's big night was complemented by 12 points from teammate Deuce Turner and 11 from freshman Kevin Patton Jr., which tied his season high.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Saturday night's matchup began with fast-paced play, which saw the Toreros gain a slight four-point edge at the 12-minute media timeout by way of freshmen Dragos Lungu and Santiago Trouet.
- A transition layup later in the half from UC San Diego's Hayden Gray served as a turning point for the Tritons, allowing them to go on a comeback run of their own ahead of a hook shot from Bryce Pope that knotted the score at 20-20 with eight minutes to go.
- McKinney III assisted PJ Hayes on a clutch three-pointer with three minutes remaining, giving USD a five-point, 25-20 lead.
- Both teams continued to trade points before Pope nailed a quick fast-break layup as time expired to put UC San Diego up by a slim 29-27 margin at the intermission.
- Patton Jr. opened up the Toreros' second-half scoring by nailing a transition three and throwing down a ferocious slam dunk, giving USD a three-point, 34-31 advantage as the frame got underway.
- The Tritons came back to tie the game once more on a lay-in from Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones, locking the score at 36-36 with 13:55 remaining on the clock.
- Turner and McKinney III kept the Toreros in it down the stretch, with both players knocking in multiple jump shots before the Tritons went up by a single point with six minutes to go in the game.
- A pair of quick layups from McKinney cut the deficit to five with 32 seconds remaining but San Diego got no closer.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Fifteen of McKinney III's 21 points on Saturday night came in the second half.
- San Diego finished with a 30-2 advantage in points off the bench.
- USD held UC San Diego to 16% from three, with the Tritons making just two of their 12 attempts from beyond the arc.
- Patton was 4-for-9 from the field and 2-for-4 shooting threes while adding five rebounds and two assists.
UP NEXT
The Toreros are back in action on Friday night, when they return home to take on Le Moyne. Tip-off at the Jenny Craig Pavilion is set for 7 p.m.
