Thomas Perfect From Field in USD Victory

The 1990-91 University of San Diego men’s basketball team has indicated it can win close games, and it has shown it can come from behind.

Saturday night against an undermanned and inexperienced San Jose State team, USD proved it can rout as well, 98-81, in front of 1,856 at the USD Sports Center.

Have the Toreros proven anything else?

“We’re deep,” USD Coach Hank Egan said. “I think that’s the best thing. That, and I think we’re pretty unselfish. Nobody really cares who’s scoring.”

Just as long as someone is scoring, and that has not been a problem.

Five Toreros scored in double figures, led for the second game in a row by Anthony Thomas with 22 points, who set a school record by making 10 of 10 shots from the field.

The previous school record was held by Anthony Reuss, who made 13 of 14 shots in a game during the 1983-84 season.

Dondi Bell had 17 points in 17 minutes, including a team-high 13 points in the first half. Reed Watson added 16, Pat Holbert 13 and Kelvin Woods 12. Point guard Wayman Strickland had a game-high seven assists.

Last year, USD set a scoring record by averaging 79.1 points per game, and it topped the 100-point mark a record three times.

This year, USD is averaging 91.7 points per game and missed 100 for the second time after having 96 with 4:23 left.

USD improved to 3-0, matching its best start since becoming a Division I program in 1979-80. It defeated San Diego State in its opener Tuesday, 75-74, in a cliff-hanger, then came back to down Southern Utah State on the road Thursday, 102-91.

The Toreros have won five in a row dating back to last season and 12 of 14.

San Jose State (8-20 last year) was routed for the third time in as many games this season.

USD took its biggest lead of the first half, 49-28, into the locker room, as the Toreros scored the final six points of the half, 22 of the last 32 and 36 of the last 51 after the game was tied, 13-13 at 14:56.

At that point, Pat Holbert began a 9-0 run with a three-pointer and the rout was on.

The first half produced some other rather lopsided numbers. USD outrebounded the Spartans, 24-14. While USD was making 18 of 31 shots (58.1%), San Jose State shot a miserable 10-for-30 (33.3%). From the free-throw line, it was 73.3% (11 of 15) to 45.5% (5 of 11), in favor of the Toreros.

The second half was more of the same.

So dominant was USD early, that only one Spartan managed a field goal in the first 9:52. Charles Terrell, who had scored 10 points in the Spartans’ first two games, had 11 after 4:18. The problem was, San Jose State had 12.

Terrell finished with 16 points, Andre Brooks 22.

Torero Notes

USD plays Pomona Pitzer at the USD Sports Center at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday before traveling to Bloomingtom, Ind., Dec. 7-8 for the Indiana Classic. . . . Geoff Probst’s first four baskets this season have been three-pointers. Probst, a redshirt sophomore, is a transfer from UC Davis. . . . The difference between a freshman, a senior and a 15-year head coach: In the San Jose State media guide, players and coaches listed their goals for the 1990-91 season. Said freshman forward Jason Allen, “To do well academically, win the Big West Conference and make the NCAA Tournament.” Troy Batiste, a senior guard from Crenshaw High: “Make better decisions on the court and in the classroom, and finishing in the top three in the (10-team) Big West Conference.” Coach Stan Morrison, who coached seven years at USC: “If everything falls into place and with luck, we can compete to move into the top half of the Big West Conference.” . . . Spartan senior guard Mike Wasserburger played at Mt. Carmel High and San Diego Mesa Community College before walking on at San Jose State.