Preview: USD travels to Seattle U. for first time since 1979-80 season

USD (7-11, 2-4 WCC) at Seattle (12-6, 1-4)

When: 7 p.m. Thursday

Where: Redhawk Center, Seattle

Streaming: ESPN+

Last time out: USD blew a 17-point second-half lead in a 77-70 loss at Pacific in Stockton. The Tigers had second-half runs of 14-3 and 18-2, taking the lead at 63-62 with three minutes to play. Guard Ty-Laur Johnson led the Toreros with 19 points and seven assists. UOP outrebounded USD 50-32 and had a 23-14 edge in free throws.

Series history: Seattle leads the all-time series 2-0, with both previous games played during the 1979-80 season.

Toreros update: USD has lost four of its last five games. Coach Steve Lavin continues to search for a set starting lineup: 13 players have started at least one game. Four guards continue to lead the Toreros in scoring – Johnson (14.9 points per game), Juanse Gorosito (10.7), Adrian McIntyre (9.9) and Toneari Lane (9.9). The Toreros are being outrebounded by 7.6 per game. McIntyre has the highest rebound average for USD at 3.7 per game. Vuk Boskovic has the highest average among the forwards at 3.6 per game.

Redhawks update: Seattle returns to the WCC after a 46-season absence. The Redhawks have lost three straight since defeating Washington State 69-55. Both Seattle and USD played seventh-ranked Gonzaga tough in defeat. Guard Brayden Maldonado averages 15.1 points a game to lead the Redhawks. Forward Will Heimbrodt averages 13.3 points and 5.0 rebounds a game, while forward Jun Seok Yeo averages 11.9 points a game.

 Next up: vs. Bethesda, 3 p.m. Saturday

— BILL CENTER