Enger Leads USD Rally, Victory Over Gonzaga

The University of San Diego women’s team recovered from a 12-point halftime deficit to defeat host Gonzaga, 65-61, and improve to 5-1 in the West Coast Conference Saturday night. Chris Enger led the way for the Toreros (10-9) with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine blocks. Last year in Spokane, Enger had 12 blocks against Gonzaga.

The Toreros trailed 51-41 with 9:42 to play, but they went on a 20-0 run to take control of the game.

“We really stunk it up in the first half,” USD Coach Kathy Marpe said. “I really got on them at halftime and I think their pride finally got them going in the second half.”

Christi English scored 20 points and grabbed six rebounds and Molly Hunter added 14 points, a career-high 13 rebounds and four assists for USD, which completed its first ever sweep in the northwest. The Toreros defeated Portland Thursday night.

USD has won five in a row and are over .500 for the first time this season. Gonzaga (7-12, 2-4) was led by Jennifer Mountain’s 22 points.

Point Loma Nazarene clobbered The Master’s College, 101-41, in a nonleague game at Golden Gymnasium.

Every player on the Point Loma roster played and scored in the first half. Robin Rabello, a graduate of Point Loma High, scored a game-high 18 to lead PLN, which improved to 14-6.

The Master’s College (3-18) was led by Diane Childs.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Christian Heritage defeated host Dominican College of California, 89-68, behind Shane McKim’s 21 points in a nonconference. Christian Heritage improved to 6-14.

BASEBALL

The University of San Diego opened its season with an 8-6 victory over the USD alumni at Cunningham Stadium. Mike Austin picked up the win for USD and Pat Fitzsimmons took the loss. USD’s Dave Pingree hit the game’s only homer with none on in the first inning.

MEN’S TENNIS

UCLA defeated USD, 9-0, at UCLA. David Nainkin defeated Kevin Bradley, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 1 singles. Bill Behrens and Robbie Wendell defeated Bradley and Akida Mashaka, 6-1, 6-1, at No. 1 singles.

San Diego State (0-1) lost to UC Santa Barbara, 5-4, in a match that was decided in doubles play.

The match was tied, 3-3, after singles. SDSU’s Ricardo Herrera defeated No. 34-ranked at No. 1 singles. In doubles, Randy Flachman and Benson Curb won the match for UCSB (3-0) at No. 1 doubles with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Herrera and Chris Numbers.