TEMPE, Ariz. – Bouncing back with an impressive victory to wrap up the weekend, the San Diego women's basketball team (3-5, 0-0 WCC) took down Southeast Missouri State (2-4, 0-0 OVC) 65-55 on Sunday afternoon at Desert Financial Arena.
Eva Ruse had a phenomenal game for the Toreros as she made her first career start scoring 20 points and collected eight key rebounds for her team. Olivia Owens once again reached double figures in scoring for USD as she poured in 13 points against the Redhawks as the Toreros earned a split in the desert.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Returning to the court for their first back-to-back of the season, the Toreros got on the board when Ayla Williams made a strong move to the basket and earned a pair of free throws to make it a 4-2 score early in the game.
- Later on in the quarter, USD was able to take the lead after trailing early in the game as Hallie Rhodes knocked down a three in transition following a SEMO turnover.
- Building some more separation just before the buzzer, H. Rhodes drove the ball down the court and pulled up to knock down a mid-range jumper just before the clock hit zeroes as USD led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter.
- Getting the second quarter going, Dresha Moore got the Torero scoring going by knocking down a mid-range jump shot after a nice pass from Ysabella Von Seipler.
- USD would then go on a run to expand their lead to 26-18 as Owens scored a fast break layup to force the Redhawks into a timeout.
- Owens would have her impact felt just before the half as well as she scored her team's final points just before the break as USD led 33-26 heading into the locker room.
- Coming out of halftime, Ruse kept her big day going as she scored layup following a Redhawk turnover to push the USD lead back up to seven points.
- Both defenses were locked in throughout the third quarter as the next bucket wouldn't come until the 3:20 mark as Ruse would score an impressive up-and-under layup as USD led 37-28.
- SEMO would go on a late run at the end of the third quarter as they got the deficit down to 39-36 with 10 minutes to go in the game.
- After the Redhawks ripped off a run to get back in the game, H. Rhodes put together a personal 7-0 run by hitting a key three pointer and a pair of layups that pushed San Diego's lead to 10 as Southeast Missouri State took a timeout.
- Midway through the fourth quarter, Helen Holley made a nice run to the basket and put home a layup after a great pass from H. Rhodes that pushed the USD lead up to 51-43.
- With just over a minute to go in the game, H. Rhodes scored a key layup that put the Toreros up double digits as they earned a 65-55 victory to wrap up their final neutral site game of the regular season.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Ruse was tremendous during Sunday's game as she scored 20 points, collected eight rebounds, blocked two shots and knocked down seven free throws against the Redhawks.
- H. Rhodes came through in the clutch numerous times for her team in the weekend finale as she scored 16 points, dished out six assists, grabbed four rebounds and came away with a trio of steals.
- Owens battled through tough defense to score 13 points, secured nine massive rebounds and delivered six assists against SEMO.
- Playing a key role off the bench, Moore made the most of her 16 minutes as she scored six points and secured eight big rebounds to help lead her team to the win.
POST GAME WITH THE TOREROS
NEXT UP
San Diego now returns home for a two game home stand starting on Wednesday, December 3 when they face Binghamton at 11:00 a.m. from Jenny Craig Pavilion for Future Toreros Day.
To find tickets, live video and live statistic links for Wednesday's game please check out the team's schedule page.
