Toreros at Highlanders

Today: 7 p.m., SRC Arena

Records: USD 6-6; UC Riverside 6-4

Series: USD leads 16-7

Line: Highlanders by 4

Streaming: ESPN+; audio: usdtoreros.com

Toreros update: After starting 4-1, USD has lost five of its last seven, including a 91-67 blowout at Arizona State on Sunday. Two of USD’s losses have been by two points (one in OT), another by three. Tonight’s game is the second of five straight road games. The Toreros don’t play at home until Jan. 5 vs. Pacific. USD was missing its leading scorer (Jase Townsend) and 6-7 forward Jaiden Delaire (9.5 points, 5.2 rebounds) vs. ASU with injuries. Their status is day to day. The Toreros committed 15 turnovers against just eight assists vs. the Sun Devils and allowed the hosts to hit 14 of 30 their attempted 3-pointers. USD’s 16-7 lead in the all-time series vs. UC Riverside includes a 74-62 home win last year.

Highlanders update: UC Riverside is coming off a 71-65 loss at Oregon. Five players average in double figures, led by 6-4 junior guard Zyon Pullin (14.3 points). Both teams lost to Cal Baptist, USD by three at home, UC Riverside by five on the road. The Highlanders don’t shoot it well from deep at 33.2 percent, 214th in the nation, but they defend 3-pointers nicely with an opponents’ mark of 29.6 percent. UC Riverside was selected to finish fifth in the Big West Preseason Poll, while Pullin was named Preseason All-Big West. The Highlanders won three straight games in a Las Vegas Tournament over Weber State, Wright State, and Abilene Christian.