SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's basketball program (13-10, 7-5 WCC) secured a key victory in the West Coast Conference race, defeating BYU (12-11, 7-5 WCC), 52-49, on Saturday afternoon at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
 
Ayanna Khalfani led all Toreros with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Kiera Oakry added 13 points and six rebounds, including a key three pointer with 31 seconds left to secure the win.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After falling behind early in the first meeting on Jan. 7, the Toreros and Cougars were in lock step throughout the first half on Saturday.
• Kasey Neubert was a key part of the Toreros offense accounting for nine points and seven rebounds in the first half.
• Neubert scored eight of the first 13 points for San Diego and only trailed 21-20 at the half.
• The Toreros would increase the defensive intensity in the third quarter, stifling the Cougars offense.
• San Diego allowed just four points and 2-for-13 shooting, while forcing six turnovers as they slowly began to pull away with a 10-0 run in the final six minutes of the third quarter.
• With a lead as high as 11 points, the Cougars began to claw their way back in the game.
• Several free throws, including off an intentional foul set up BYU's Kaylee Smiler to hit a three pointer to tie the game at 43-43 with 1:33 left in the game.
• However, following a BYU turnover, Oakry came off a high screen from Amanda Olinger to hit a three pointer with 31 seconds left for the lead.
• Myah Pace would knock down four free throws in the dying seconds of the game, as the Toreros would polish off a sterling defensive performance for the victory.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• With eight points tonight, Pace (1,044) passed Sydney Hunter (1,036) for 19th on the Toreros all-time scoring list. Next up is Morgan Woodrow (1,066) in 18th.
• In addition, Pace (273), matched Erin Malich for eighth on the Toreros all-time free throws made list. Next up is Marta Menuez (303) in seventh.
• The Toreros held the Cougars to their second lowest point total of the season.
• While the nation's leading rebounder; BYU's Lauren Gustin got 16 rebounds, the Toreros out-rebounded the Cougars 34-32. San Diego has now won the rebounding battle in 18 of 23 games this season.

 
UP NEXT
The Toreros will return to action next weekend, hosting Loyola Marymount on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m., in the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The game will be streamed via the WCC Network.