STOCKTON – Wrapping up the team's first trip of West Coast Conference play, the San Diego women's basketball team (6-9, 0-2 WCC) battled hard and overcame a double-digit deficit before ultimately falling to Pacific (7-6, 2-0 WCC) by a 72-68 final score on Tuesday afternoon.
Kylie Ray had a fantastic afternoon as she scored 29 points and corrabled eight rebounds against the Tigers in Stockton. Olivia Owens and Hallie Rhodes each finished in double figures as well for USD at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After Pacific was able to get on the board first on their home floor, the Toreros responded their next trip down the floor as Ray got her strong scoring day started with a mid-range jumper to knot the game at two.
- With both teams trading baskets midway through the opening quarter, USD was able to build a bit of separation as Owens scored five straight points with a three point hit and a layup to give the Toreros a 15-12 lead.
- Ray continued her tremendous opening quarter by scoring her team's final points of the period as the Toreros led 22-21 after the first 10 minutes of play.
- Getting the action going in the second quarter, Ray kept torching the Tiger defense as she made a nice sidestep move off the dribble and canned a three from the top of the key as USD stretched its lead to 25-21.
- After Pacific went on a run to build a three point lead, San Diego was able to respond as Helen Holley made a strong drive to the hoop and scored a layup to make it a 28-27 game midway through the quarter.
- Finishing up her first half with 18 points, Ray scored the Toreros' final points of the quarter on a mid-range jump shot as the Tigers led 38-29 heading into the break.
- Pacific opened the third quarter by extending their lead to 15 before USD started to rally back as Owens got in the paint and scored a layup to make it 45-32.
- Later in the quarter, H. Rhodes made a key defensive play as she forced a steal and took the ball the other way for an easy lay in as the Toreros got their deficit back under single digits at 49-41.
- Finishing out the third quarter strong, Ray continued USD's aggressive defense and came away with a steal of her own and scored a fast break layup on the other end as the Toreros trailed 59-53 heading into the final quarter.
- Getting the final 10 minutes of play started, Eva Ruse blocked a shot on Pacific's first possession and H. Rhodes grabbed the board and made a nice move in the paint for a layup that got USD within four points in Stockton.
- After the Tigers' pushed the lead back to seven, Ruse got a huge offensive rebound and kicked the ball out to an open Ray on the perimeter who knocked down a massive three to make it 64-60 with just under seven minutes remaining in the game.
- Never backing down and giving the Tigers everything they could handle, USD's comeback ultimately came up just short as they fell by a 72-68 final score on Tuesday afternoon.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Ray was phenomenal during Tuesday's game as she scored 29 points and set a new career-high with four steals. Doing great work on the glass as well, Ray pulled down eight boards and knocked down 10 total field goals.
- Owens had a nice performance as well for USD as she played 31 minutes, scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds, came away with a pair of steals and knocked down five of the six free throws she attempted.
- Scoring some key buckets down the stretch, H. Rhodes poured in 11 points during Tuesday's game in Stockton.
- Putting together another great outing off the bench, Ruse scored five points and collected six rebounds and finished a game best +14 in her 23 minutes of action.
POST GAME WITH THE TOREROS
NEXT UP
The Toreros now turn their attention to their home conference opener as they will take on San Francisco (8-5, 1-1 WCC) this Friday, January 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. The first 300 fans to Friday's conference opener will receive a free USD cap, and tickets to all USD women's home basketball games are free for kids 12 and under.
Ticket, live video and live statistic links for Friday's game can be found via the team's schedule page.
