USD Plays Host to Portland Tonight

After getting a split on a two-game Northern California trip, the University of San Diego returns home to face the University of Portland at 7:30 tonight at the Sports Center.

The Pilots have found the going rough in the West Coast Athletic Conference. Portland is 1-6 in the WCAC and 12-11 overall. A 59-58 victory over Gonzaga on Feb. 8 is the Pilots’ only conference win of the season. Portland is coming off an 80-60 WCAC loss against first-place Pepperdine last Saturday.

The Toreros and Pilots faced each other in Portland in late January. A jumper by USD guard Kiki Jackson with time running out gave the Toreros a 68-66 win.

Darren Jenkins, a 6-foot 8-inch senior forward, is leading the Pilots in scoring with an average of 12.2 points per game. Dave Flint, a 6-5 senior who starts alongside Jenkins, is averaging 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds.

Portland’s best rebounder is 6-10 center James Van Ness, who is averaging 5.0 a game.

USD (3-5, 14-9) is coming off a 60-57 win at Santa Clara and a 71-61 loss at St. Mary’s. Forward Anthony Reuss, who scored 23 points and had 8 rebounds against the Gaels, leads the Toreros in scoring with a 12.8 average. His 6.6 rebounds per game ranks second behind Scott Thompson’s 7.0 average.