Toreros at No. 12 Gonzaga

Today: 8 p.m. McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, Wash.

Records: USD 11-17, 4-10 WCC; Gonzaga 23-5, 12-2

Series: Gonzaga leads 78-22 and has won 15 straight

Line: Gonzaga by 21

On the air: ESPN2

Toreros update: USD has lost five of six and is coming off a 62-59 home loss to No. 17 Saint Mary’s last Thursday. Despite playing without four regular starters and trailing by 23 early in the second half, the Toreros used a 24-4 run to put themselves in position to pull off a stunning comeback victory before ultimately coming up short. Graduate senior forward Jaiden Delaire (foot injury) remains out while graduate senior guard Eric Williams Jr. (foot) will be a game-time decision. Senior G Marcellus Earlington, the team’s leading scorer and team assists leader, junior guard Sigu Sisoho Jawara, are expected to be in the lineup. The team has struggled defensively all season, allowing 79.5 points per game on 48.9 percent shooting, but coach Steve Lavin seems to have hit on something with a 1-3-1 zone that caused major problems for Saint Mary’s during that near-comeback win last week.

Bulldogs update: Since a 78-70 OT loss at conference leader Saint Mary’s on Feb. 4, Gonzaga has won four straight and is in position to potentially catch the Gaels for the WCC regular-season crown. The teams meet again Saturday in Spokane. Senior F Drew Timme is a National Player of The Year candidate and leads the WCC with 21.3 points per game. He needs 80 points to surpass Frank Burgess (1958-61) for the school’s all-time points record. Junior G Julian Strawther (15.5 points), senior G Rasir Bolton (11.1) and senior F Anton Watson (11.1) also average in double figures. They rank first in the NCAA in field goal percentage (52.5) and scoring offense (87.5 ppg).

The Toreros close the regular season at home Saturday vs. Santa Clara.