Cinderella Run Ends For Toreros Versus Saint Mary's
The University of San Diego’s Men’s Basketball team’s run in Vegas came to an end last night with a 69-62 loss vs the Saint Mary’s Gaels. St. Mary’s will advance to the WCC Tournament Final to face #1 Gonzaga.
The Gaels starting the game strong, jumping out to a 19-9 lead but USD’s picked up the slack offensively and went on a 17-10 run to cut the deficit to three points. A layup by St. Mary’s guard Jordan Ford put the Gaels up 33-28 going into halftime.
The second half was a back and forth affair as the teams traded baskets for the first seven minutes until USD took its first lead of the game 48-45 on an Isaiah Wright three.
St. Mary’s responded with a three pointer to tie the game back up and the teams were within one possession of each other until the Gaels took a 58-52 lead with 5:21 left. Two free throws from Finn Sullivan made it a four point deficit. After a St. Mary’s layup pushed the lead back to six, Wright’s three point play cut the deficit back to three.
The Gaels scored on their next possession and the deficit stayed at five until the 1:19 mark when Wright hit a three to make it a 62-60 St. Mary’s lead.
Two free throws from St. Mary’s made it 64-60 with 37 seconds left and Wright’s layup on the next USD possession made it 64-62 but the Gaels made their free throws down the stretch and ended USD’s magical run in Vegas.
Wright led all USD scorers with 22 and Isaiah Pineiro scored 16 and grabbed 7 rebounds.
USD finishes its season 21-14 and will wait and see if they are awarded a postseason berth.
