USD Beaten for Third in Lapchick

Kevin McDaniels hit an 18-foot jumper with 24 seconds left, then added four free throws in the final three seconds as South Alabama beat the University of San Diego, 77-72, Sunday to take third in the Lapchick Memorial Tournament.

No. 20 St. John’s later won the title by defeating Wright State, 76-56.

USD’s final points came on a jumper by Anthony Thomas with 2:05 to play, and it gave the Toreros (2-3) a 72-66 lead.

South Alabama (2-2) then made three free throws before Marvin Eackles hit a jumper to pull the Jaguars within one with 1:27 left.

USD’s Wayman Strickland missed a jumper with 44 seconds left, and McDaniels gave the Jaguars their first lead since 44-43 early in the second half.

USD took a timeout with 13 seconds left, but 10 seconds later, Gylan Dottin was called for an offensive foul; USD Coach Hank Egan was then charged with a technical foul for protesting the call.

McDaniels made both free throws, and he was intentionally fouled with one second left and made two more for the final margin.

Alex Stanwood led South Alabama with 18 points. McDaniels scored 12. John Jerome led USD with 19 points, and Dottin had 15.

Jerome, who ended up with 29 points and 12 rebounds in two games, was named to the all-tournament team.