SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's basketball program (4-7, 0-0 WCC) dropped the opening game of the USD Winter Classic, falling 72-52, to Montana (5-3, 0-0 Big Sky) on Wednesday afternoon at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
 
Veronica Sheffey led the Toreros with 12 points and four assists, while Harsimran Kaur and Kylie Horstmeyer added 10 points apiece.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The two sides traded baskets early in the game, with the Toreros spreading the scoring.
• Six different players scored the first 11 points, but the Toreros fell into an 18-11 hole.
• Sheffey tried to will the team back in the game, scoring back-to-back jumpers to end the game, including a buzzer beater at the end of the first quarter to make it 23-15.
• Sheffey and Kaur were able to cut the lead to just four in the first few minutes of the second half, but Montana answered with a 7-0 run and took control to lead by 11 at halftime.
• Efforts to cut the Montana lead proved unsuccessful, as the Lady Griz expanded the lead to a high of 18 in the third quarter.
• Kaur recorded a layup to end the third and cut the lead to 13 points, but the Toreros couldn't get any closer, as Montana answered with a 7-0 run immediately.
• Montana would ultimately close out a 20-point victory.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Sheffey has scored in double figures for the third consecutive game for the first time in her career.
• Lauren McCall matched her career-high with seven points in just seven minutes.

 
NEXT UP
The Toreros are back in action tomorrow, hosting Boise State for a 4 p.m., game to conclude the USD Winter Classic. The game will be streamed via ESPN Plus. To stay up to date with Toreros women's basketball, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDwbb".