SAN DIEGO – The San Diego women's basketball program (4-9, 0-0 WCC) will open up West Coast Conference play this week, facing Pepperdine (4-9, 0-0 WCC) on Thursday at 4:30 p.m., and traveling to Saint Mary's (7-7, 0-0 WCC) on Saturday at 5 p.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT

• The Toreros pushed for a late rally but could not bounce back, falling 70-61 to Brown on Saturday afternoon.
• Jess Finney matched a career-high with 17 points and four steals, knocking down three of four three pointers.
• Veronica Sheffey extended her double-digit point streak to five consecutive games with 10 points.

 
OPPONENT HISTORY

• San Diego opens conference play against Pepperdine, who they are 42-46 against all-time.
• The Toreros have won seven consecutive games against the Waves, good for their second longest active streak against WCC opponents.
• San Diego won the last meeting, 75-63 on Feb. 11, 2023, behind a sensational 23-point, nine assist, seven rebound, five block and four steal performance by Ayanna Khalfani.
• The Toreros are 23-47 all-time against Saint Mary's, but won both matchups last season.
• Khalfani also shined with 20 points and nine rebounds in the last meeting, while Kasey Neubert had a double-double.

 
WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• A key determining factor for the success of the Toreros is the disbursement of scoring, as the team has won all four of their games when at least three or more players score in double figures.
• Sheffey ranks second in the WCC and 28th in the nation in assists (69) and 36th nationally in assists per game (5.3).
• Her start in the assist category is potentially historic, as only two Toreros have ever averaged over five assists per game over a full season (Amanda Rego (twice) and Lori Morris).
• Harsimran Kaur ranks second in the WCC in blocks (18).
• The Toreros have made an effort to control their turnovers in recent weeks, with their five lowest totals coming in the last six games.
• Three of the team's four wins have come when the Toreros shoot over 50 percent from the field as a unit.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Head coach Cindy Fisher is closing in on 400 wins in her career, standing at 393 between San Diego and Wyoming.
• San Diego is undefeated when they hold opponents under 60 points. 
• The Toreros rank second in the WCC and 55th in the nation in blocks per game (4.4).
• Neubert needs just 15 points to reach 800 in her career.

 
HOW TO FOLLOW
Both games will be streamed via ESPN Plus, 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".