USD Takes Tough Defense to USF and Santa Clara

SAN FRANCISCO — There is a nationally ranked basketball team in San Diego.

Sort of.

The University of San Diego has carved its niche defensively, ranking fifth in scoring defense with a 58.8 average and sixth in defensive field-goal percentage at 40.5.

“We are playing better defense,” said Hank Egan, USD coach. “Defense has always been the most solid part of our game. That’s been especially true the past few weeks. We communicate a lot better and help one another.”

The Toreros (12-4 overall) are 3-1 and tied with Gonzaga for first place in the West Coast Athletic Conference going into tonight’s game at the University of San Francisco. They play at Santa Clara Saturday night.

These are rematches of WCAC games played last week at USD, where the Toreros are 7-0.

Santa Clara made 33% of its shots from the field Thursday night and lost, 73-51. Two nights later, USF made 39.6% of its shots and lost, 68-56.

“The fact that we’ve done it (held teams to poor-shooting nights) against several opponents means we have something to do with it,” Egan said.

On offense, USD has been led by forward Nils Madden and a rejuvenated Scott Thompson. Madden had 23 points and 11 rebounds against USF. After sub-par games at Gonzaga and Portland two weeks ago, Thompson had 23 points and 11 rebounds against Santa Clara and 12 points and 10 rebounds against USF.

“He (Thompson) got frustrated and stalled out,” Egan said. “What he has to do is just play as hard as he can. Now, he’s making a contribution and doing his part rather than worrying about doing everything.”

Thompson leads the team in scoring at 16.4, followed by Madden at 11.3 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds. Guard Paul Leonard averages 10.1 points.

USF (12-5, 2-2) is coming off road losses to St. Marys and USD. The Dons are 10-1 at home, but have lost all three games against USD since Jim Brovelli, the former USD coach, took over.

Last season, USD beat USF, 67-59, at San Francisco and, 72-39, at home. Despite injuries to three key players, the Dons are much improved over last season’s 7-21 record.

“We kind of overpowered them last year ,” Egan said. “But you have to discount last year. This year, they’re a pretty good basketball team. A lot better than last year.”

USF center Mark McCathrion leads the team in rebounds (7.2 average) and is averaging 12.1 points. Guard Rodney Tention, playing with a mask because of a broken nose, has a 9.2 scoring average. Leading scorer Patrick Clardy (15-point average) has missed four consecutive games because of an ankle sprain. His status is questionable tonight.