USD Looks to Spoil Weekend for Loyola, Pepperdine

Virtually eliminated from the West Coast Athletic Conference regular season championship, the University of San Diego men’s basketball team tries to play spoiler when it faces third-place Loyola Marymount tonight and first-place Pepperdine Saturday at the USD Sports Center. Both games are at 7:30 p.m.

Next week, USD (6-14, 1-7) plays its two-game series with second-place St. Mary’s (18-3, 6-2). The Toreros will be trying to build some needed confidence before the WCAC tournament March 4-6 at San Francisco.

USD beat San Francisco, 69-64, for its only conference victory. The Toreros lost six games by a combined 23 points before being beaten Saturday by NCAA scoring leader Loyola, 139-104.

Last Friday against Pepperdine (15-8, 7-1), USD led, 62-60, with 4 1/2 minutes remaining but lost, 68-65. USD outshot the Waves from the field (54%-45%) with sophomore center Dondi Bell going seven for seven for a team-high 14 points. But the Toreros were 13 of 24 from the free throw line.

Saturday against Loyola (13-8, 6-3), USD trailed, 28-25, with 10 minutes left in the first half before Loyola went on a 35-4 run. Junior forward Craig Cottrell led USD with 26 points and eight rebounds. Hank Gathers, NCAA scoring and rebounding leader, led the Lions with 30 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

The Toreros’ 104 points was their third-highest total since they switched to Division I in 1979-80 (they scored 126 in a loss last season to Loyola and 113 in a victory over U.S. International two seasons ago). Loyola’s 139 points was the second-highest opponent total (after last season’s 141-126 loss to Loyola).