USD Finishes in Third Place With Win Over McNeese State

The University of San Diego outscored McNeese State, 21-8, in the last 7 1/2 minutes of the first half Saturday night and went on to win, 81-66, in the third-place game of the Champion Holiday men’s basketball tournament in Missoula, Mont.

Center Scott Thompson, who had 36 points in two tournament games, led the Toreros (4-3) with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.

Also in double figures for USD were Nils Madden (16 point, 9 rebounds), Mark Maynor (17 point, 6 assists) and Pete Murphy (12 points).

USD and McNeese State (3-3) were tied, 26-26, with 7 1/2 minutes left in the half before the Toreros ran off a streak that ended with them ahead, 47-34, at halftime. USD’s Paul Leonard scored six points during that stretch.

“We executed very well offensively and defensively,” USD Coach Hank Egan said. “The kids played hard and took good shots. Scott (Thompson) did it for us early and Nils (Madden) played strong in the second half.”

USD is idle until Dec. 14, when it takes on San Diego State at the San Diego Sports Arena.