Toreros Look for First WCAC Win Tonight Against Stingy St. Mary’s

University of San Diego men’s basketball team will try again for its first West Coast Athletic Conference victory tonight at 7:30 in the USD Sports Center against St. Mary’s, a team that isn’t used to giving anything away too easily.

The Gaels (10-5 overall, 2-2 in conference) are second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 58.3 points per game. Opponents are shooting only 41% against St. Mary’s.

The Toreros (8-9, 0-4) have shot 40.6% (41 for 101) in the first halves of their conference losses.

Coach Hank Egan said a lot of his team’s troubles can be traced to its first conference loss two weeks ago to Loyola Marymount.

“We took a young team up there and got beat (115-75), and it really seemed to set us back,” Egan said. “We’re on the road to recovery.”

USD played well in a 56-54 loss to Santa Clara Saturday but never led. The Toreros haven’t led in the second half of any conference game.