IRVINE – Competing in the team's first road game of the new season, the San Diego women's basketball team (1-1, 0-0 WCC) came up short by a 72-54 final score against UC Irvine (1-0, 0-0 Big West) on Wednesday afternoon at the Bren Events Center.
Kylie Ray had a big afternoon in the USD back court as she scored a new career-high with 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds against the Anteaters. Helen Holley also turned in a good performance on the glass as she grabbed nine rebounds in her team's second game of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UCI was able to get on the board first on Wednesday before the Toreros answered with a Ray three point hit following a good pass from Malia Tharpe to even the score.
- The Anteaters went on a run to build an eight point advantage before Ray made a nice move and knocked down a mid-range jumper to make it an 11-5 game.
- Ending the first quarter on a high note, Ray cashed in another three point hit to get the Toreros within 11 as the Anteaters lead 21-10 through the first 10 minutes of play.
- San Diego's defense started to tighten up as they stung together consecutive stops, while a long three point make from Olivia Owens made it a seven point game early in the second quarter.
- The Toreros were able to get the deficit down to four as they held UCI scoreless until the 6:01 mark of the quarter with Eva Ruse making a nice layup in the paint after collecting a loose ball.
- Scoring the final points of the first half, Tharpe swooped in for an offensive rebound and put home a tipped in shot to make it a 32-27 UC Irvine lead at the break.
- Getting the second half started with more strong USD defense, Ray came away with a steal and pulled up from the top of the key and cashed in a three point hit that made it a two point game.
- UCI was able to regain their footing before Owens made a strong defensive play of her own and then ran out for a fast break and knocked down a three to make it a 42-35 Anteaters advantage.
- The Toreros would score their final points of the third quarter on a layup from Holley as she collected her first points in her USD tenure as San Diego trailed 60-45 heading into the final quarter.
- UC Irvine would take control in the fourth quarter as they picked up a 72-54 victory on their home court Wednesday afternoon.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Ray put together a stellar performance against the Anteaters as she scored 23 points, grabbed eight rebounds and came away with four steals in her team's first road game.
- Providing a nice spark off the Torero bench, Moore scored seven points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field and collected a pair of rebounds in her 22 minutes.
- USD's defense was aggressive throughout Wednesday's game as they came away with 11 steals, their most in a game since last season's road victory over Pacific on February 13, 2025.
POST GAME WITH THE TOREROS
NEXT UP
San Diego will continue their first week road trip as they will head to Northridge for a matchup with CSUN (1-0, 0-0 Big West) on Saturday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. from Premier Credit Union Arena. Live video and live statistics links for Saturday afternoon's game can be found on the team's website.
