STOCKTON – Battling hard throughout and not giving an inch, the San Diego women's basketball team (5-19, 1-14 WCC) emerged victorious in an overtime thriller with a 75-72 road victory over Pacific (12-14, 8-8 WCC) on Thursday night at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
Kylie Horstmeyer shined in the Torero victory as she matched her previous career-high with 26 points against the Tigers. She also reached 900 career points on Thursday evening to help propel USD to their first conference win of the 2024-25 season.
Ava Ranson recorded her first double-double as a Torero as she poured in 14 points and dished out 10 assists against the Tigers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Getting the action started was Truitt Reilly who knocked down a mid-range jumper for USD's first points of the night after a great pass from Ranson.
- Ranson would continue her scoring prowess throughout the quarter as she made a nice drive to the basket for a layup to give USD the lead and hit a big three to made it an eight point Torero advantage at 14-6.
- With under a minute left in the half, Malia Tharpe got into the score book after knocking down a jumper following a great pass from Claire Gallagher as the Toreros led 16-10 at the end of the first quarter.
- Horstmeyer started to put her imprint on the game in the second quarter scoring USD's first three points of the period as she split a pair of free throws and scored a layup following a great pass from Ranson as the Torero lead grew to 19-10.
- Pacific would go on a mid quarter run of their own to even the score before Horstmeyer made another jump shot as USD re-took the lead at 22-20.
- Ending the first half in style, Ranson drove the ball on a fast break and made a nice spin move to get some separation and hit a paint jumper as the Toreros went to the locker room with a 29-24 lead.
- Out of the break, the hometown Tigers rattled off a quick 5-0 run to re-take the lead but USD would answer quickly as Dresha Moore got to the basket and earned an and-1 helping San Diego re-gain the lead at 32-29.
- Later in the quarter, Jayden Rhodes would join in on the fun as she put home a layup off another great feed from Ranson to extend the lead to 36-29.
- Building further, San Diego would hit a pair of threes as Horstmeyer and Gallagher delivered on consecutive possessions to give the Toreros a 48-40 lead heading into the final quarter.
- Pacific came out aggressive to start the fourth quarter as they scored the first four points before Horstmeyer connected on a three to push the lead back up to seven.
- The Tigers' defense settled in as they took a 60-57 lead before USD got a bucket from Reilly to make it a one-point game yet again.
- Playing the hero all night, Horstmeyer delivered a game-tying corner three with six seconds left in regulation. Pacific's shot at the buzzer clanked off the iron forcing overtime.
- Pacific scored first in overtime as they netted a pair of free throws before Hallie Rhodes grabbed a huge offensive rebound and put it back to tie the game back up at 64-all.
- After the Tigers made another pair of free throws, Horstmeyer drove in and navigated the defense perfectly to put home another game-tying bucket. Following a key USD defensive stand, Gallagher was able to get open and buried an open three on the left wing to put the Toreros ahead 71-68.
- After sinking some clutch late free throws and playing more great defense, the final buzzer sounded on a 75-72 victory in Stockton on Thursday evening.
TORERO TIDBITS
- Horstmeyer matched her career-high with 26 points while shooting 10-for-16 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point distance. Playing a season-high 44 minutes, Kylie also grabbed four rebounds, came away with a pair of steals and dished out one assist in Stockton.
- Ranson was leading the Torero offense beautifully all game as she recorded a 14 point, 10 assist double-double against Pacific. Ava was crucial late as she made four of her five free throws in overtime to put the game on ice.
- Playing in an extended role off the bench, J. Rhodes did it all for her team with six points, eight boards, four crucial steals and an assist in her 36 minutes on Thursday evening.
- Making her first start as a Torero, H. Rhodes scored five points, grabbed nine rebounds, assisted on four of her teammates buckets and came away with a pair of steals as USD's plus-minus leader +8.
- Showcasing her shooting in numerous clutch moments, Gallagher scored nine huge points, grabbed a rebound and dished out an assist in Thursday's victory.
CATCHING UP WITH THE TOREROS
NEXT UP
The Toreros now return home to wrap up the weekend with an afternoon matchup against Santa Clara (14-12, 8-8 WCC) on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2:00 p.m. USD's excited to celebrate Catholic Schools Day on Saturday with a basketball doubleheader and a Torero baseball game that evening as well. Live video, live statistics and ticket links can be found on the team's website.
