USD Back Home to Face Northern Iowa

The University of San Diego men’s basketball team, which hasn’t played at home in a month, returns to the Sports Center at 7:30 tonight to face Northern Iowa in a nonconference game.

The Toreros last played at home on Nov. 30 and defeated Southwest Texas State. Since then, USD (6-4) has played six straight road games, winning three. Last weekend, USD finished third in the Longhorn tournament at Austin, Tex.

USD lost its opening-round game in Austin to South Florida, 56-55, before coming back to defeat Alaska Anchorage, 78-64, in the consolation game Dec. 21. Forward Nils Madden scored a career-high 21 points and had a team-leading eight rebounds in the Toreros’ victory. Madden was named to the all-tournament team.

USD, which is led by 7-foot center Scott Thompson (13.3 points per game) and guard Pete Murphy (10.8), will play its next four games at home before beginning play in the West Coast Athletic Conference Jan. 17 at Santa Clara. After tonight, the Toreros play host to Montana State Jan. 2, St. Ambrose College Jan. 4, and United States International University Jan. 9.

Northern Iowa is 4-3 this season, winning all of its home games and losing all three of its games on the road. Most recently, the Panthers defeated Elmhurst College--an NAIA school--75-68 on Dec. 21.

Northern Iowa is led by 6-10 sophomore center Scott Plondke, who is averaging 19.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Senior guard Randy Kraayenbrink is averaging 18.2 points per game.