USD Falls to 0-3 Mark in WCAC

The University of San Diego men’s basketball team had a chance to win and came close Friday, but the Toreros instead lost for the fifth time in a row and third time in the West Coast Athletic Conference.

San Francisco won, 63-58, before 1,685 fans in Memorial Gym. San Francisco improved to 9-7 and 1-2, while USD fell to 5-10 and 0-3. But the game was closer than the final score.

With USD trailing by four, freshman forward Gylan Dottin drove the baseline, scored and was fouled by James Bell. Dottin hit the free throw to make it 57-56 with 1 minute 26 seconds remaining.

After a missed San Francisco shot, Dondi Bell rebounded for the Toreros. USD called timeout to set a play to Bell. It was there, but Bell missed a short jumper. San Francisco rebounded, and USD’s Danny Means fouled Kevin Mouton.

Mouton made both free throws to put San Francisco ahead, 59-56. USD missed a 3-point shot, and USF’s Jeff Christian was fouled and made both free throws with 28 seconds left. Randy Thompson scored on a tip-in with 11 seconds left to pull the Toreros within 61-58. But James Bell made two free throws with 6 seconds left to finish the scoring.

“We got it to one, called a timeout and called a pretty good play,” said USD Coach Hank Egan. “We just came up a little short. Dondi Bell is a warrior. He’s got great pride, and he’s going to be a good one.”

In the final 8:39, San Francisco made 14 of 14 free throws. The Dons finished shooting 87.9% from the line (19 of 21). USD, on the other hand, continued to have problems at the line: 11 of 24 (45.8%).