SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's basketball program (18-13, 11-7 WCC) is set to continue their 2023 Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) run on Monday, hosting UC Irvine (25-6, 16-2 Big West) in the second round at 6 p.m., in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.  
 
LAST TIME OUT

• Behind strong rebounding and a big offensive second half, the Toreros pulled away from Long Beach State in the opening round of the WNIT, winning 75-57 on Thursday evening.
• Kasey Neubert delivered one of the top rebounding performances in program history with 18 points and 19 rebounds. The 19 rebounds are the fourth-highest single game total in Toreros history.
• Ayanna Khalfani also registered a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, as the Toreros trounced the Beach on the boards 50-22.

 
OPPONENT HISTORY

• The Toreros are 18-12 all-time against the Anteaters, having won four straight games in the series.  
• San Diego won the last meeting just one season ago on Dec. 11, 2021, in a 75-64 decision. Khalfani finished with the most points among returning scorers with 12.

 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• The Toreros continue to find success on the glass, ranking 31st nationally in offensive rebounds per game (14.1).
• Neubert has been dominant on the glass in the second half of the season, averaging 10.0 rebounds per game over her last 13 contests and 7.8 rebounds per game this season, which ranks fifth in the conference.
• Should her pace continue, it would be the highest per game average by a Torero since Maya Hood (7.8 RPG) in the 2016-17 season.
• Neubert is also increasing her scoring dramatically, averaging 13.7 points per game over her last six games, scoring in double figures in each game.
• San Diego is hoping to jump out to an early lead, where they tend to have the most success. San Diego is 16-3 when leading or tied at halftime, while 2-10 when they trail.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• San Diego is 12-7 all-time in WNIT action and has won at least one game in the event in seven of their eight appearances.
• Khalfani was recently named the WCC's Co-Defensive Player of the Year, while also being named to the All-WCC Second Team. Khalfani is the second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year for the Toreros.
• Kiera Oakry was also named to the Second Team and Neubert was named Honorable Mention. Veronica Sheffey was also tabbed the WCC's All-Freshman Team.
• Oakry has been adept at drawing contact all season and has gotten to the free throw line frequently, ranking in the top-100 nationally in free throws made (116). Oakry's 116 free throws rank in a tie for sixth on the Toreros single season rankings with Maya Hood in 2016.
• Oakry (244) is also closing in on the top-10 all-time in made free throws at San Diego, needing just four to match Morgan Henderson for 10th.
• As a unit, the Toreros lead the WCC in free throw attempts per game and makes per game.
• Myah Pace (1,131) is continuing her climb up the Toreros record books and sits in 14th on the all-time scoring list. Pace needs 20 more points to pass Tiara Harris (1,150) for 13th place.
• In addition, Pace is eight steals away from 250 in her career and ranks third all-time at San Diego.
• Pace is also sixth all-time in assists at 370 and needs six more to match Kerri Nakamoto (376) for fifth.

 
HOW TO FOLLOW
Monday's WNIT game will be streamed via the WCC Network, with live stats provided by statbroadcast. To stay up to date with Toreros women's basketball, follow the team on Instagram & Twitter by searching "USDwbb".