USD WOMEN FALL TO ZAGS
Kaylynne Truong scored 20 points and No. 22 Gonzaga pulled away from the University of San Diego women in the fourth quarter to post a 70-59 victory on Monday night at home.
Myah Pace led USD (6-7, 0-2 WCC) with 10 points. The Toreros’ bench accounted for 25 points, led by the nine of Veronica Sheffey.
The Bulldogs (11-2, 2-0) started strong, outscoring the Toreros 22-12 in the first quarter, and closed the game with a 23-16 fourth. In between, USD battled back to take a brief lead in the third quarter.
Amanda Olinger drilled a 3-pointer and followed it with a layup with 5:11 left in the third quarter to get the Toreros even at 37, and Harsimran Kaur converted the second of two free throws to put them in front. But the Bulldogs got a jumper from Truong to regain the lead and Brynna Maxwell, fouled behind the arc, knocked down all three free throws. Truong added two free throws to push the lead to 4438.
Calli Stokes hit a layup,
McKayla Williams knocked down a jumper and Truong hit a 3 as Gonzaga opened the fourth quarter on a 7-1 run that pushed its lead to 10 points, 54-44.
More college basketball
St. John’s is ranked in The Associated Press women’s basketball poll for the first time since 2015. The Red Storm is No. 25 after winning its first 11 games to match a school record. South Carolina remains a unanimous No. 1, receiving all 28 firstplace votes from a national media panel.
• Purdue maintained its grasp on No. 1 in the AP men’s college basketball poll, receiving 40 of the 60 firstplace votes from a national media panel after knocking off Davidson in its only game
last week. That allowed the Boilermakers to hold the top spot for a second consecutive week.
Skiing
There was no stopping Marco Odermatt this time. The Olympic champion won a giant slalom in Alta Badia (Italy) for his 15th career World Cup victory a day after an uncharacteristic thirdplace finish on the same course. The Swiss skier finished 0.20 seconds ahead of Norwegian veteran Henrik Kristoffersen and 0.92 ahead of Olympic silver medalist
Zan Kranjec. Locally
The Anaheim Ducks announced the club acquired defenseman Michael Del Zotto, 32, in a three-team trade involving the Red Wings and Panthers. Detroit acquired center Danny O’Regan from Anaheim while Florida received right wing Givani Smith from the Red Wings. Del Zotto will report to the AHL San Diego Gulls. O’Regan, 28, had three
goals and 15 assists in 27 games for the Gulls this season.
• In its final tune-up before the holiday break, the San Diego State swim and dive program rolled to a 126115 triumph over the University of San Diego at Aztec Aquaplex. SDSU recorded the fastest time in all 14 swim events.
• Kelsey Forrester scored 22 points to lead the No. 15/ RV Cal State San Marcos women’s basketball team (8-1, 5-0 CCAA) to a 76-70 victory at Cal State LA (5-4, 3-2).
Baseball
Team USA’s Dodgers presence at March’s World Baseball Classic got a little heavier. After commitments from Will Smith and Mookie Betts earlier this year, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was announced as a member of the team, finalizing a decision the former MVP and three-time Cy Young Award winner had hinted at earlier this month.
• The Phillies gave General Manager Sam Fuld a
contract extension that will take him through the 2025 season. The 41-year-old Fuld has been with the Phillies since November 2017 and spent the last two seasons as general manager.
Sports and courts
Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson was booked at the Bristol County Jail and House of Corrections in North Dartmouth, Mass., on Monday in connection with a “family issue,” authorities said.
A spokesperson with the Bristol County Sheriff ’s Office called the issue “nonviolent” in nature. Jackson was brought to the jail by local police after an appearance in probate court.
• Authorities say former NFL linebacker Willie McGinest Jr. was arrested in connection with an assault at a Southern California nightclub. A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department statement says the incident occurred Dec. 9 at a club in West Hollywood.