SAN DIEGO – Beginning their 2024-25 season on a high note, the San Diego women's basketball team (1-0, 0-0 WCC) defeated Biola (0-0, 0-0 PacWest) by a 75-30 final score on Wednesday evening at Jenny Craig Pavilion. 

The team turned in a complete effort as 14 different players competed with 13 of them registering at least two points against the Eagles.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It took just 1:16 of game action for the Toreros to score their first points of the season as Courtney Wristen scored a lay up off a great pass from Lauren McCall.
• USD didn't relent on either end of the floor for the majority of the first quarter as the Toreros went on an 11-0 run before Biola scored their first field goal.
• Making her San Diego debut on Wednesday, senior Truitt Reilly made a lay up for USD's last bucket of the quarter as they led 18-5 at the end of the first quarter. 
• Looking to build on their lead, the Toreros scored the first 13 points of the second quarter to build a 31-5 advantage.
• Capping off USD's strong first half was the first collegiate bucket from freshman Lilly Amor who knocked down a corner three-point shot as they headed to the locker room with a 36-9 lead.
• The Toreros' first bucket of the second half came from graduate student Ava Ranson, who was assisted by Reilly after she grabbed the rebound and made a cross court pass to extend USD's lead to 40-17.
• Another new face for USD, junior Paris Santacaterina excelled late in the third quarter as she scored the Toreros' final three third quarter points on a lay up and a made free throw to give San Diego a 54-24 lead with 10 minutes to play.
• USD made three quick free throws to start the fourth quarter with new additions junior Hallie Rhodes and freshman Eva Ruse knocking down all three to make it 57-24 Toreros.
• Making one of the highlight plays of the night, freshman Dresha Moore made an incredible steal and then threw a perfect pass to Kylie Horstmeyer for a lay up as the Toreros earned the 75-30 victory on their home floor to begin the new season. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• With tonight's win over Biola, San Diego has now won four consecutive season openers dating back to the 2021-22.
• Doing a little bit of everything for her team against the Eagles, Horstmeyer led the way with a game-best +30 as she scored eight points, grabbed six rebounds, came away with five steals and dished out four assists.
• USD's team defense shined throughout as they held Biola to 21% shooting from the field and forced 24 turnovers in the season opener. 
• The Toreros played four true freshmen on Wednesday: Dresha Moore, Lilly Amor, Erica Carr and Eva Ruse who each scored their first collegiate points against the Eagles. 

NEXT UP
San Diego will now turn their attention to the first of three consecutive road games on their schedule, as they will head north to face Weber State on Tuesday, Nov. 12 for a 5:00 p.m. PST tip-off. Live video and live statistics links can be found on the team's website.