SPOKANE, WA – Despite shooting 52.2% (12-23) from three-point range, the University of San Diego men's basketball team (11-18, 4-11 WCC) fell at No. 12 Gonzaga (24-5, 13-2 WCC) on Thursday, 97-72.
 
Fifth year guard Jase Townsend led San Diego with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-11 from the field. He buried three from beyond the arc in four attempts.
 
Fifth year guard Marcellus Earlington added 11 points, five rebounds, and two steals in 19 minutes.
 
Sophomore guard Deven Dahlke registered a career-high 11 points and five assists in the loss, shooting 4-of-6 from the field.
 
Graduate center Nic Lynch and sophomore guard Deuce Turner each compiled nine points, while freshman guard Neel Beniwal added eight.
 
USD falls to 11-18 (4-11 WCC) on the season, and will host Santa Clara on Saturday for the regular season finale.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• San Diego took an early 6-0 lead with two jumpers from Earlington and one from Wayne McKinney.
• Seven straight points from Gonzaga's Drew Timme later gave the Bulldogs a 29-16 lead.
• USD answered with triples from Beniwal and Townsend, in addition to a Dahlke layup to chop the deficit to seven.
• Gonzaga ended the half on a 17-7 run, and took a 48-31 lead at halftime.
• After Earlington buried a three, the Bulldogs registered a 6-0 run early in the second half to take a 24-point advantage.
• Gonzaga pulled away midway through the second half with an 11-0 run to go up 69-37.
• Nic Lynch scored five straight for the Toreros, including a triple, to make it a 25-point deficit.  
• Julian Strawther scored 10 straight points for Gonzaga, extending its lead to 87-54 with 5:20 remaining.
• The Bulldogs grabbed their largest lead of 35 with 2:24 remaining, but USD answered with a 12-2 run to end the game, including triples from Turner, Beniwal, and Dahlke.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Townsend scored in double figures for the 18^th time in 24 games.
• San Diego's 12 made three-pointers were the third most in a game this season (13 against Utah State and UC San Diego).
• Earlington scored in double figures for the 10^th straight game.
• The Zags went 12-22 from the free throw line, while USD went 2-2.
• Gonzaga won the rebounding battle 45-26.
• Sophomore Dominic Muncey connected on his first career field goal in the second half on a triple from the corner.
• The Bulldogs scored 22 points off of 14 USD turnovers.

 
UP NEXT
USD will return home for the regular season finale on Saturday, hosting Santa Clara at 7:00 PM. The Broncos hold a 54-39 lead in the all-time series, including an 80-75 win on February 9.