Toreros Look for First WCAC Win Tonight Against Stingy St. Mary’s

SAN DIEGO — University of San Diego men’s basketball team will try again for its first West Coast Athletic Conference victory tonight at 7:30 in the USD Sports Center against St. Mary’s, a team that isn’t used to giving anything away too easily.

The Gaels (10-5 overall, 2-2 in conference) are second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing only 58.3 points per game. Opponents are shooting only 41% against St. Mary’s.

The Toreros (8-9, 0-4) have shot 40.6% (41 for 101) in the first halves of their conference losses.

Coach Hank Egan said a lot of his team’s troubles can be traced to its first conference loss two weeks ago to Loyola Marymount.

“We took a young team up there and got beat (115-75), and it really seemed to set us back,” Egan said. “We’re on the road to recovery.”

USD played well in a 56-54 loss to Santa Clara Saturday but never led. The Toreros haven’t led in the second half of any conference game.