LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Competing in their first game of the West Coast Conference Tournament, the San Diego women's basketball (7-23, 3-18 WCC) took control of the game early and didn't look back as they picked up a 66-59 victory over Pepperdine on Thursday afternoon from Orleans Arena. 

San Diego benefited from a tremendous one, two punch with Kylie Horstmeyer and Truitt Reilly both pouring in 20 points in the victory against the Waves. 

The Toreros now advance to the second round of the WCC Tournament where they will take on Pacific on Friday, March 7 for a 2:30 p.m. tip-off. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After the Waves scored the first four points of Thursday's game, the Toreros started to get going on both ends of the floor as Truitt Reilly got the scoring started with an early layup. 
• San Diego would keep the momentum rolling as Horstmeyer connected on a jump shot following an offensive rebound that pushed USD's lead to double digits at 14-4. Horstmeyer would then score again the following possession as the Toreros rattled off a 16-0 run to take control in the first quarter. 
• Pepperdine would score the last bucket of the period to make it a 16-6 Torero lead through the first 10 minutes of play. 
• Continuing USD's strong start, Horstmeyer would net the first points of the quarter as she connected on yet another mid-range jump shot. 
• Later in the quarter, Reilly would continue her strong overall game as she would score another layup that put San Diego ahead 28-13 with 6:33 left in the half.
• Pepperdine would mount a late quarter run to get the deficit back down to four points as the Toreros lead 32-28 at the break. 
• Coming out of the locker room, San Diego started to build their lead back up as Reilly and Hallie Rhodes each made jump shots to build the advantage back up to eight points. 
• With 3:34 left in the period, Horstmeyer delivered another made jumper for her team as the San Diego lead grew back to double digits at 42-32. 
• As the final seconds wained in the third quarter, H. Rhodes would deliver a clutch mid-range jumper just before time expired as the Toreros led 48-39 heading into the fourth.
• Needing stops to halt a potential Waves comeback, San Diego strung together multiple defensive stands and scored their first points of the fourth on an Ava Ranson elbow jumper to lead 50-41. 
• Pushing their advantage back up to 10 points, Horstmeyer continued her tremendous scoring game by netting a pair of free throws to make the score 56-46.
• Putting the game away for good late, Ranson collected an outlet pass and drove right to the hoop as she scored a layup and was fouled with just 1:03 left in the game. 
• As the final buzzer sounded, San Diego picked up the 66-59 victory over the Waves to advance to the next round of the tournament. 

TORERO TIDBITS

• Horstmeyer put together her fifth 20-point game of the season as she was 7-of-12 from the field and knocked down all six free throws she attempted. Kylie also grabbed three rebounds, dished out an assist, came away with a steal and blocked a shot in the victory. 
• Reilly was a force in the front court all game as she scored 20 points on 9-for-16 shooting while grabbing 13 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season.
• H. Rhodes played the entire 40 minutes and helped lead the offense as she scored 10 points and dished out six assists while also coming away with a pair of steals against the Waves. 
• Ranson was phenomenal for her team as well, playing all but 36 seconds in the game while scoring 12 points and delivering a game-best eight assists in Thursday's conference tournament game. 

NEXT UP
The Toreros now look forward to their third meeting of the season with Pacific (13-17, 9-11 WCC) on Friday, March 7 for a 2:30. Live video, live streamed radio and live statistics links for Thursday's game can be found on the team's website.