SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Rounding out a stretch of four games in a week, San Diego men's basketball dropped a road contest at Santa Clara, 70-98 at the Leavey Center Sunday evening.
 
The NET No. 70 Broncos, entering the game ranked ninth nationally in offensive rebounding, cleaned up on the glass for a margin of plus-24 with 19 on the offensive end. Santa Clara also shot the three at a high volume, with 15 made triples to keep the Toreros at bay.
 
USD was led by junior guard Ty-Laur Johnson, who returned from injury to post 20-plus points (21) for the fifth time in his last six games, also adding seven assists and four steals Sunday.
 
A pair of junior forwards provided in the USD frontcourt, as Vuk Boskovic had 11 points, all in the first half, and Assane Diop emerged from the bench in a second straight with five rebounds – four offensive – plus an assist and block in nine minutes.
 
How it Happened

• The Toreros returned to their first five that started five straight before Johnson's one-game absence with a concussion
• Johnson was an instant impact in his return to the floor
• Santa Clara had the game's first run at 10-1 and led the rest of the way
• Boskovic erupted for 11 quick points in an exchange of blows before an SCU 11-0 run
• At the half, San Diego trailed, 45-32
• The Toreros came out of the gates shooting hot to start the second period
• The shots from three would cease to go, however, and the hosts took advantage for a 17-2 run
• USD would not give up though, going on an 11-0 run of their own
• Again, the Broncos had an answer and fended off the Toreros, going on another streak of unbreakable shooting to see the final score at 98-70

 
Up Next
The Toreros will return home from the long road stand for a Thursday, Jan. 8 contest vs. WCC basement dwellers Pepperdine at 6:30 p.m. in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.