SAN DIEGO – Putting together a spirited effort after trailing for the majority of the game, the San Diego women's basketball team (7-12, 1-5 WCC) picked up their first victory of conference action as they took down Pepperdine (10-8, 1-4 WCC) by a 54-51 final score on Saturday afternoon in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Hallie Rhodes had a phenomenal afternoon for the Toreros as she scored a team-high 16 points and secured six rebounds against the Waves. Freshman guard Olivia Owens was active throughout Saturday's game as well as she pulled down a career-best 11 rebounds and forced five steals to help USD break their losing skid.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Getting the scoring started back on their home court, Dresha Moore made a great move to the basket and scored a driving layup to put USD ahead by a pair early in the game.
- A few minutes later, H. Rhodes got her big day started by getting downhill and scoring off of the glass to knot the game at four.
- With just over a minute left in the opening quarter, Eva Ruse made a great move to the basket as Kylie Ray found her for an easy lay in as the Toreros trailed 12-6 after the first 10 minutes of play.
- To start the second quarter, the Toreros came out aggressive as Ray earned a trip to the charity stripe and knocked down a pair of free throws to get San Diego back within four.
- Their next trip down the court, Ray found Helen Holley wide open for a corner three that made the score 14-11 Waves.
- In the final minutes of the first half, Owens grabbed a huge offensive rebound and scored a put back as the Toreros trailed by just one point.
- Malia Tharpe would score USD's final points of the first half as she made a nice move in the paint for a layup as San Diego trailed 27-23 heading into the locker room.
- Pepperdine was able to build their lead up to eight in the early minutes of the second half before Ray scored on a floater to make the score 31-25 early in the third quarter.
- Later in the period, H. Rhodes maintained her aggression as she made a pull up jumper after Owens forced a steal as the Toreros stayed within striking distance down seven points.
- Reaching double figures in scoring just before the quarter ended, H. Rhodes made a nice mid-range jumper in the paint as USD had work to do trailing 44-36 with just one quarter remaining.
- Putting immediate pressure on the Waves, Tharpe put home a layup with a nice move using her left hand to get San Diego back within six points.
- Taking their first lead of the second half just a few minutes later, Owens grabbed the rebound and started a fast break before finding H. Rhodes open for a corner three which she nailed as USD led 48-47.
- With just over two minutes of game time remaining, Owens came up with her fourth steal of the game and took the ball coast-to-coast for an easy lay in as the Toreros led 52-49.
- After a few more timely defensive stops and some free throws from Tharpe, USD earned their first victory of conference play as they bested Pepperdine by a 54-51 final score on Saturday afternoon.
TORERO TIDBITS
- H. Rhodes had a productive and efficient afternoon for the Toreros as she posted 16 points on 7-of-12 from the field, grabbed six rebounds, forced a steal and blocked a shot against Pepperdine.
- Owens set new career-highs with her 11 rebounds and five steals in her 35 minutes of action as she also contributed six points and a pair of assists.
- Ray reached double figures in scoring once again the Toreros as she put in 14 points, secured seven boards and distributed a trio of assists in the victory on Saturday at home.
- Tharpe scored some crucial points off the San Diego bench with eight points in her 18 minutes as she finished +12 for the game.
POST GAME WITH THE TOREROS
NEXT UP
The Toreros will now enjoy some down time before returning to action in a week to face Gonzaga (12-6, 4-1 WCC) on Saturday, January 17 at 2:00 p.m. from the McCarthey Center. Live video and live statistic links for Saturday's game can be found via the team's schedule page.
