MORAGA – Getting back to work after the holiday break, the San Diego women's basketball team (4-8, 0-3 WCC) came up just short in their first conference road game of the season as they lost to the Saint Mary's Gaels (8-5, 4-0 WCC) by a 85-75 final on Monday afternoon at University Credit Union Pavilion. 

Playing close to her hometown, Kylie Horstmeyer scored a season-best 20 points for the Toreros, while Ava Ranson contributed 16 points and seven assists against the Gaels. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• San Diego had a strong start to Monday's game as Lauren McCall knocked down an open corner three, and then stripped the Gaels' ball handler and set up Horstmeyer for an easy layup to put USD ahead 5-0 early.
• Saint Mary's managed to even up the game but the Toreros put together a nice response as Ranson made a pull-up jumper and Truitt Reilly followed with a turnaround shot in the paint to put San Diego up 13-8 at the first media timeout.
• Closing out the first 10 minutes of action, was a great hustle play from Dresha Moore who hit a turnaround jumper in the paint off an offensive rebound as the Toreros led 19-16 at the end of the first quarter.
• After the Gaels scored the first points of the second quarter, Reilly was able to author a response by knocking down a mid range jumper to push USD's lead back to 21-18.
• Midway through the second quarter, San Diego built upon their five point lead as Ranson converted an and-one followed by a Malia Tharpe offensive rebound and put back brought USD's lead to 36-26 with just 3:24 remaining in the half.
• SMC would score the final four points of the quarter with San Diego heading to the locker room holding a 36-30 lead. 
• Starting the second half with possession of the ball, USD was able to quickly get to the charity stripe as Reilly drew a shooting foul and split the free throws as the Toreros led 37-30.
• With the Gaels attempting to claw their way back into the game, Courtney Wristen drove the ball to the cup and finished with her left hand to put San Diego ahead by a 44-38 margin at the 6:08 mark in the quarter.
• Saint Mary's was able to take the lead and create some separation throughout the latter half of the third quarter as they led 60-52 heading into the fourth quarter.
• Staying in the fight despite trailing, USD got off to a strong start as McCall delivered a nice runner in the lane to bring the Toreros back within six at 60-54.
• After the Gaels grew their lead to 11, San Diego broke off a 5-0 run with Ranson hitting a pull-up midrange shot and then knocked down an open three after Hallie Rhodes stole SMC's inbound pass.
• USD's comeback attempt would end up coming up short as the Gaels earned an 85-75 victory on their home floor on Monday afternoon. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• Horstmeyer had a phenomenal afternoon playing back in the Bay Area as she scored 20 points while going 9-of-19 from the field, grabbing four boards, dishing out three assists and coming away with a pair of steals.
• Doing it all for her team against SMC, Ranson scored 16 points and dished out a season-best seven assists while going a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
• Getting it done in the team's front court, Reilly scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting while grabbing six rebounds and blocking a shot during Monday afternoon's game.

NEXT UP
San Diego continues their two game road swing back in Southern California as they're set to face Pepperdine (5-6, 0-2 WCC) on Thursday, Jan. 2 at 6:00 p.m. from Firestone Fieldhouse. Live video and live statistics links can be found on the team's website.