SAN DIEGO – Starting the program's new era on a high note, the San Diego women's basketball team (1-0, 0-0 WCC) earned a 92-23 victory over Bethesda on Monday evening in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
The Toreros' twin sister duo of Hallie Rhodes and Jayden Rhodes combined to score 33 of San Diego's points during the blowout victory over the Lion Angels, while four USD freshmen played their first collegiate minutes and poured in 24 of their own to begin the new season.
The win also marked the first career victory for head coach Blanche Alverson as she began her first year leading the San Diego program on a high note.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first points of the night came via a USD fast break as Kylie Ray delivered a great pass to H. Rhodes for an easy two to begin the 2025-26 season.
- Extending their lead midway through the first quarter, Olivia Owens got on the board with her first collegiate points that extended the Torero advantage to nine points.
- Completing the first 10 minutes of action, Erica Carr made a layup following a strong pass from Jessica Ajayi as USD led by 18 points at the end of the first quarter.
- Getting the second quarter started on a high note, J. Rhodes came away with a steal and took it the other way for a fast break layup.
- Following a brief run from the Lion Angels, Dresha Moore put home a layup following a great offensive rebound from Owens that pushed the San Diego lead back up to 25.
- Closing out the first half, H. Rhodes knocked down a long distance triple following a great feed from Ray that made it a 41-9 USD lead heading into the locker room.
- Getting the third quarter going, Lilly Amor continued her strong evening with an immediate three point hit as the Torero offense began to find more success shooting from beyond the arc.
- Midway through the third quarter, Ysabella Von Seipler started showing out in her collegiate debut by gathering a rebound and going coast to coast for a layup as the Torero lead grew to 43.
- Closing out the penultimate 10 minutes of play, J. Rhodes knocked down a key three at the buzzer as USD led 70-12 heading into the final quarter.
- Starting the fourth quarter scoring, Carr put home a layup after a strong move in the paint that was assisted by a great feed from Ajayi.
- Following a media timeout, Von Seipler connected on her first collegiate three point shot as the Toreros drew closer to their first win of the season.
- When the final buzzer sounded, the Toreros earned a 92-23 wire-to-wire victory on their home floor to start the new season.
TORERO TIDBITS
- With tonight's win over Bethesda, the Toreros have now won five consecutive season openers dating back to the 2021-22 season.
- USD's margin of victory was the largest since San Diego defeated Chapman 92-38 in the first game of the 2023-24 campaign.
- J. Rhodes notched a new career-high with 22 points on a highly efficient 9-13 from the field white also grabbing eight rebounds against the Lion Angels.
- Doing a little bit of everything off the team's bench, Von Seipler scored 12 points, collected six rebounds and dished out a trio of assists in her 20 minutes of action.
POST GAME WITH THE TOREROS
NEXT UP
San Diego now heads up the road for their first road contest of the season as they will take on UC Irvine in the Anteaters' home opener on Wednesday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m. Live video and live statistics links for Wednesday's game can be found on the
team's website.
