STOCKTON, Calif. – In a game that had 15 lead changes and 13 ties, the Toreros had the opportunity to take the game's final lead with one shot in the closing seconds but ultimately fell short on the road Thursday, 69-71 to Pacific.
 
After the Tigers broke the deadlock with a two at 12 seconds remaining, redshirt freshman Joey Chammaa, previously 50% from three point land and the field, attempted a go-ahead 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it bounced off the back rim.
 
Neither led by more than four points in the second half, the biggest lead overall being a nine-point Torero advantage in the first half. San Diego shot 50% and better from both the field and from three in the first half for the first time this season. USD also outscored it's hosts 48-5 off the bench.
 
Sophomore forward Santiago Trouet led the way for the Toreros with 18 points and seven rebounds. Both Chammaa and grad guard Kody Clouet added 14 points. Sophomore forward David Simon made his return from injury and was productive off the bench.
 
How it Happened

• The Toreros ran out with the 13^th different starting lineup of the season with the return of grad guard Deven Dahlke to the starting five
• San Diego led to start, but as would be the story the rest of the night, the opposition responded swiftly
• Simon made his return to the court for the first time since suffering an injury on Dec. 28 vs. GCU
• USD went on an 8-0 run as a part of the 10^th lead change of the first half
• Chammaa and Klouet stacked some 3-pointers on top of eachother and eventually the lead grew to a game-high nine points
• Pacific hung tough however, cutting the lead down to 39-37 at the half
• It was the first half half of basketball this season in which the Toreros shot 50% or better from both the field and 3-point range, the second period of it's sort on the season, having done so in the reverse matchup against Pacific, a home win on Dec. 30 … Clouet led the way with 12 points on four made threes
• Even after the break, both teams would continue to exchange leads and spent over six minutes tied in the contest, neither team leading by more than four points in the second half
• Trouet would get going for the Toreros, particularly off high-low actions
• The Toreros found themselves down two with the ball with 38 seconds remaining as the Tigers intentionally fouled Trouet, who made both shots at the charity stripe to tie the game
• Then, with 12 seconds and change remaining, Pacific's Lamar Washington got a layup to go to reclaim the lead
• After a timeout, the Toreros got the ball to the other side of the court and Chammaa got a look at a three, but he couldn't get it to fall, nor could the team get the board for a put-back before the final buzzer

Up Next
The Toreros move on to San Jose as they take on NET 59 Santa Clara in just two days' time on Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN+. USD was bested by the Broncos in the first meeting of the season, 81-80 in San Diego on Jan. 2.
 
Post Game Quotes
USD Head Coach Steve Lavin
Opening Statement
Our team came out and executed well, established ourselves in the paint, and as a result, got some high-percentage interior shots, which in turn led to us getting some open looks on the perimeter. In the first half, we shot the ball well from long distance and 50% overall. So, some really good things offensively including having eight assists. The ball was popping, and we had good rhythm considering we were fighting through some early foul trouble with our bigs. The bench came in and was very productive; we outscored them in bench points, 48 to five on the game. Kody, Joey and Santiago gave us a real lift off the bench. The second half was a competitive game, back-and-forth, but late Pacific was able to get some offensive rebounds that were converted into second chance points. The flurry of offensive boards hurt our cause. There were a couple possessions late where we did not box out.  
 
On the return of sophomore David Simon from injury…
Well, in the last couple weeks it's been good to see David begin to find his rhythm with his return to practices. This was the first week he was allowed to go live contact, and we want to bring him back into the fold gradually. He's going to continue to play more minutes as we move forward. He had a nice post-up quick interior basket with his left hand, and he has terrific versatility. You can step him away from the basket to knock down threes. He can drive slower defenders off the dribble defensively and can help us on the interior with rebounding and block shots. He can alter the game in a positive way for us and we're encouraged by his performance tonight, looking forward to his continued improvement.  
 
Quick turnaround though, playing Santa Clara at four o'clock on Saturday. So, we've got to get the mindset aligned, have good preparation between now and tip time as we take on a really good Broncos team that beat us by one earlier this season.