USD Rolls to 87-58 Victory in Final Exhibition Game

It was a little sloppy and there were fewer points scored than in its first exhibition game a week and a half ago, but it was a victory nonetheless for the University of San Diego men’s basketball team.

USD downed the Illawara Hawks, 87-58, in its second and final exhibition game Tuesday night in front of 575 at the USD Sports Center.

On Nov. 9, USD looked extremely sharp, routing Athletes in Action, 120-92.

Against Illawara, a charter member of Australia’s National Basketball League 12 years ago, the Toreros were a bit off their game.

Three postgame comments from USD Coach Hank Egan indicated the same: “I think we have a lot of work left . . . I thought it was a mess. . . . We’re not at midseason form, that’s for sure.”

Still, USD, which substituted freely, had four players score in double figures. Pat Holbert and Kelvin Woods led the way with 16 and 14 points respectively. Wayman Strickland added 12 and Anthony Thomas 10.

Dondi Bell had a game-high nine rebounds and added three blocked shots and six points in only 24 minutes.

For Illawara, Peter Rowsell had 12 points and Rod Johnson 11.

After trailing by six early, USD took the lead for good with nine minutes left in the first half.

Woods, off the bench for less than a minute, made a layup off an offensive rebound and was fouled in the process. His three-point play made it 21-19 USD. Strickland then made one of two technical foul shots and Woods a nice five-foot jumper to complete a 9-0 run.

USD outscored Illawara, 26-4, near the end of the first half. The Toreros led at the half, 40-26.

San Diego State, which USD plays in its season opener Tuesday at the Sports Arena, defeated Illawara, 81-57, Monday night.