MORAGA, Calif. — San Diego men's basketball on Saturday night lost a 88-62 decision to No. 18 Saint Mary's at the UCU Pavilion.

The Gaels (23-6, 14-0 WCC) held the Toreros (16-13, 6-8 WCC) to 36% from the field, and 21% from the three point line. 

Junior guard Deuce Turner paced the San Diego offense, scoring 20 points and had a team-high four assists. 

Two Torero freshmen – guard Keyon Kensie and forward Jimmy Oladokun Jr. – both turned in what marked their best scoring performances in nearly a month, scoring 10 and 13 points, respectively, as well as teaming up to pull in six rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Saint Mary's struck first on Saturday night to take an early 4-0 lead, but a well-timed lob from Turner found high-flying freshman Kevin Patton Jr. at the rim to tie the contest up at eight just shy of the under-16 media break. 
• After falling back behind, a three from Turner pulled USD back within four at 17-13.
• The Gaels responded with a lengthy 8-0 run, and led by 11 at the opening period's under-four minute media timeout.
• San Diego closed the half with junior center Steven Jamerson II meeting Saint Mary's guard Augustas Marciulionis at the rim to reject a dunk, but trailed by a 43-30 margin at the intermission.
• Turner gave the Toreros some life at the 12 minute mark by converting an impressive four-point play before Saint Mary's pulled away late and took its largest lead of the night (31 points) with 1:01 remaining in the game. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• Three Toreros were perfect from the charity stripe in Saturday night's contest: Patton Jr. (6-for-6), Turner (3-for-3), and Jamerson II (4-for-4), helping San Diego shoot 82% 18-for-22) from the line.
• As a team, USD matched Saint Mary's for nine offensive rebounds apiece.
• A deep ten-man rotation gave the Toreros a 23-15 advantage over the Gaels in bench points.
• San Diego's youth allowed them to get ahead of Saint Mary's on the break, outscoring the Gaels by a 9-2 margin in fast break points.
• USD combined for 11 steals and blocks on Saturday night, while the Gaels finished with just eight. 
• Junior guard Wayne McKinney III exited the game at the 10:56 mark in the first half with an injury.

UP NEXT
The Toreros are back in action on Thursday evening, when they continue their road trip by traveling to Los Angeles, California to take on Loyola Marymount in what will mark USD's final regular-season road game of the 2023-2024 season. Tip-off on Thursday night at the Gersten Pavilion is set for 7:00 p.m.