TOREROS FINISH AT HOME WITH LOSS

USD rallies to tie it in second half but falters down stretch

The idea was to finish the regular season with some momentum, upset Pacific, then go into next week’s West Coast Conference Tournament with some confidence.

There was one problem. Pacific wouldn’t cooperate.

The Tigers jumped to a 10-0 lead, withstood a USD comeback, never trailed and earned a 71-64 win before 1,419 at Jenny Craig Pavilion on Saturday night. The Toreros have lost five straight.

Pacific improved to 23-9, 11-5 in conference. USD fell to 9-22 and 2-14. The Toreros finished ninth in the 10-team WCC.

When the teams played on

Feb. 1, Pacific’s Jahlil Tripp picked up two fouls in the first 1 minute, 19 seconds, was limited to 16 minutes and finished with nine points.

He was more disciplined Saturday night. By halftime he had already racked up 14 points and eight rebounds.

He finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and drew 11 fouls. No one else drew more than six.

“He’s outstanding,” said USD head coach Sam Scholl. “There are many great players in this league, and he’s in the upper echelon. He just plays with such a tenacity and attack. He just knows how to find ways to score and make plays.”

Braun Hartfield led USD with 17 points. James Jeanmarie scored 12 and Finn Sullivan 11. USD was just 1 of 10 on 3pointers.

It’s the third time this season they’ve hit just one 3. Pacific was 2 of 12 behind the arc.

Pacific outrebounded USD 38-27. The Tigers scored 13 second-chance points to USD’S three.

The Toreros couldn’t have started the game much worse. They turned the ball over on four of their first five possessions.

On the defensive end, USD allowed Pacific to hit five of its first six shots.

The game was 4 minutes, 42 seconds old and USD had already dug itself a 10-0 hole.

“That lead was self-inflicted, for sure,” said senior Alex Floresca.

USD rallied from the deficit and tied the game at 49 with 9:45 to play. But Pacific hit a 3pointer on its next trip down the floor, embarked on an 18-6 run and pulled away.

Playing his final home game, Floresca exited with 33 seconds to play. He finished with nine points and four rebounds.

“I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” he said about playing his last home game. “But it’s been a long, great five years. I couldn’t have asked to have better people around me.”