SAN FRANCISCO — University of San Diego women's basketball team made the trip to War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center on the campus of the University of San Francisco this week, looking to avenge their four-point, 59-55 home loss to the Dons earlier this month.

But on Thursday night, the Toreros were unable to pull out a road victory despite a double-double performance from Kylie Ray, once again losing to the Dons by a four-point margin — this time by a score of 69-65.

Ray scored a bucket with 12.2 seconds left to cut USD's deficit down to two, 67-65, but the Toreros couldn't force another turnover and have a chance to tie or take the lead. She ultimately finished with a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds with four steals to lead the Toreros (7-14, 1-7 WCC). Ray, who also leads the WCC in free throw percentage, also went 5-for-6 at the line.

Ray and Hallie Rhodes combined for 51 of the team's 65 points against USF (12-7, 5-3 WCC). As Ray shot 10-of-27 from the floor, Rhodes shot 8-of-19 for 24 points and seven rebounds. 

Rhodes collected two of her points on a layup with 4:05 left in the game to take a 62-60 lead in a game where there were seven ties and six lead changes. 

With 7:53 left in the third quarter, Rhodes gave USD a 36-35 lead on a jumper and a free throw to complete a three-point play and cap off an 8-0 run. It marked the Toreros' first lead since early in the first quarter of the game.

The Toreros led by as many as five points with 1:59 left in the third quarter after Rhodes made both free throws on a night where she shot 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. The Toreros outscored the Dons 24-18 in the first 10 minutes of the second half and had a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Before they took a late lead, the Toreros started slow, facing a nine-point deficit in the opening quarter and trailing by 12 points with 1:52 left in the second quarter. 

However, the Toreros answered that 12-point deficit by closing the first half on a 7-0 run to trim the Dons' lead to five. During that scoring run, Rhodes completed a three-point play with a basket and a free throw, followed by two made free throws apiece from Ray and Ayla Williams, who scored San Diego's only two bench points. 

San Francisco was led by Candy Edokpaigbe, who scored 24 points, while Noelia Mourino added seven points and a team-high seven rebounds. Aina Cargol also scored 16 points for the Dons.

Up next, the Toreros return to the Jenny Craig Pavilion Saturday to host Loyola Marymount. Tipoff between San Diego and LMU is at 2:00 p.m. as USD celebrates Catholic Schools Day. Saturday's game will be televised on ESPN+ with Braden Surprenant and Drake Hills calling the game.  

NOTABLE

• Kylie Ray's 27 points and 13 rebounds, which were both game-highs, marked her first double-double of the season, and represented her seventh 20-point performance this year. Her 13 rebounds are also a season-high for the sophomore.
• Ray set a team single-game high with 27 field goal attempts, while converting that into 10 made baskets. 
• Hallie Rhodes' 24 points are one point off her season-high, set back on December 3 vs. Binghamton. Thursday also marked Rhodes' fourth consecutive game with double-digit points.