Athletics Roundup: Tough Week for Basketball Teams, Swimmers

The West Coast Conference is an entirely new proving ground for the 2018-19 USD men’s basketball team. Following a strong nonconference schedule and strong performances, the Toreros’ conference competition took notice and they’ve acted accordingly.

On Saturday, in the lone WCC game last week for USD, the visiting Pepperdine Waves rallied in the last three minutes to defeat the Toreros, 76-71, on Jan. 12 at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

The loss was USD’s first at home this season, snapping a 9-0 mark. USD (12-6 overall, 1-2 WCC) played without starting point guard Isaiah Wright (wrist) again and during Saturday’s game, both Alex Floresca and Olin Carter III went down. Carter missed the final 10-plus minutes of the game and it was important as he had scored eight of his 12 points earlier in the second half.

Nonetheless, Isaiah Pineiro led the team with 19 points while Tyler Williams had 11 points and Finn Sullivan chipped in 10. Yauhen Massalski had seven rebounds and Joey Calcaterra had six assists.

The Toreros trailed by four at halftime and as many as eight early in the second half, but erased the deficit with 9:24 to play.
 
USD took its first lead of the second half on Pineiro’s layup with 8:07 left. However, the Toreros would convert just two more shots from the field the remainder of the game. Pineiro's basket was the first of four lead changes in the final nine minutes.
 
The Toreros led as late as 3:16 until Colbey Ross made two free throws to tie the score, 63-63. Ross converted a layup on Pepperdine's next offensive possession to give the Waves a lead they would not relinquish. Pepperdine went 10-of-10 from the free throw line in the final 3:16 to seal the win.

Next Games: USD at Portland, Thursday, 7 p.m., Portland, Ore.; USD at Saint Mary’s, Saturday, 6 p.m., Moraga, Calif.

Women’s Basketball

Two more West Coast Conference games, two more tough losses for the USD women’s basketball team this past week. The Toreros went on the road and fell to St. Mary’s, 74-60, on Jan. 10 and then Pacific downed them, 79-47 on Jan. 12. USD’s record is now 1-5 in WCC play and 8-9 overall.

The highlight of the Saint Mary’s game was junior Patricia Brossmann recording her sixth double-double of the season. She finished with a career-high 22 points and 12 rebounds. Madison Pollock had 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists and Leticia Soares had eight points. It was 25-25 at halftime, but Saint Mary’s had a 31-16 third quarter that enabled them to pull away with the victory.

Pacific played three strong quarters and never trailed USD in the game. It was 50-26 at halftime and 67-35 after three quarters. USD finished with 20 turnovers which helped Pacific’s offensive output.

Despite the lopsided score, Soares did have a double-double for the Toreros, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

Next Games: USD hosts Portland, Thursday, Noon, Jenny Craig Pavilion (Linda Vista Schools Day); USD hosts Gonzaga, Saturday, 2 p.m., JCP (Family Day).

Women’s Swim and Dive

Kailyn Evans won two events and recorded four top-three finishes overall to highlight San Diego's dual meet against Fresno State on Jan. 12 at USD’s Sports Center Pool.
 
Evans finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (24.69 seconds) and 100 free (53.62), placed third in the 100 breaststroke (1 minute, 7.53 seconds), and contributed to a second-place result in the 200 free relay.
 
Despite Evans' standout performance, the Toreros lost to the Bulldogs, 186-75.
 
Six Toreros combined for nine top-three finishes in individual events and USD finished the meet on a high note by placing second and third in the 200 free relay. Alex Hubel notched a pair of top-three results, finishing second in the 100 butterfly (58.93) and 200 fly (2:10.02). Samantha Terranova and Grace Potis led USD in the distance events. Terranova went 18:13.76 to place third in the 1650 free, while Potis touched the wall in 5:15.06 in the 500 free to finish second. Maeve Murdoch and Sabrina Firnett logged second place results in 200-yard events. Murdoch went 1:59.76 in the 200 free and Firnett went 2:16.99 in the 200 individual medley. The quartet of Alexa Philips, Hubel, Haley Ohlson and Evans led the Toreros in the 200 free relay, combining for a time of 1:37.70 to finish second. They were followed by teammates Izabella Brazell, Terranova, Alyssa Hornbuckle and Mackenna Briggs who finished third in 1:41.84.

Next Meet: USD hosts San Diego State, Friday, noon, Sports Center pool.

More USD Athletics Information

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