USD beats Pacific to open West Coast Conference play; Tritons win big

A day after Ty-Laur Johnson predicted the University of San Diego “would shock” some teams this season, the Toreros did.

Playing what coach Steve Lavin called their best defensive game of the season, the Toreros turned a 9-0 run at the start into a commanding 66-54 win over the University of the Pacific at Jenny Craig Pavilion in the West Coast Conference opener for both teams.

USD improved to 6-7, matching its win total for the entire 2024-2025 season. Pacific fell to 9-5.

The Toreros led by as many as 15 and never trailed. And when Pacific turned its inside strength into an 11-3 run to pull to within four points at 48-44 with 9½ minutes to play, USD had several players step up to turn back the challenge.

Guard Juanse Gorosito buried a 3-pointer to make it 51-44. Guard Adrian McIntyre then hit 3 of 4 free throws and a layup to boost the lead back to 56-44. Guard Toneari Lane buried a pair of 3s. And forward Vuk Boskovic finished with 10 defensive rebounds to help slow the Tigers’ inside game.

Again, the court leader was Johnson, who finished with 22 points and six steals. It was the 6-foot point guard who triggered USD’s 15-2 run over the opening 6:40. He buried a 3 just 45 seconds into the game to put the Toreros ahead to stay. A minute later, he turned a steal into a layup.

Johnson scored eight of USD’s first 15 points (Gorosito had five) with four quick steals (Gorosito had two). After eight minutes, Pacific had gotten off only six shots while turning the ball over 10 times against the USD pressure.

USD finished the game with 13 steals against eight turnovers. Pacific had 21 turnovers, with USD holding a 25-8 edge in points off turnovers.

“Our pressure helped us keep them from getting the ball inside in the first half,” said Lavin. “We knew they would make a run. They came at us from a different plan. But we adjusted and addressed what they were doing.

With 11 minutes to play, USD was being outrebounded 32-15. They had a 12-7 edge the rest of the game while limiting Pacific’s inside opportunities.

“This was a team effort,” said Lane of USD’s defense. “Not only did we pressure them into turnovers, the guards helped out to keep them from getting that many good looks inside.”

Added Johnson: “We swarmed on defense. It was a lot of guys going hard to help teammates.”

USD has won three of its last four games. In those three wins, Johnson has 68 points, 12 assists, eight steals and six turnovers. But he’s getting more and more support.

Gorosito finished with 17 points against UOP. Lane had 12 and McIntyre had 10. McIntyre had three steals while Gorosito and Lane each finished with two.

“We’re making progress,” said Lavin. “We’re playing better as a team. We’re understanding better what each of us brings to the equation.”

Now comes the big test. USD hosts seventh-ranked Gonzaga on Tuesday night at the Jenny Craig Pavilion in the final meeting between the teams before Gonzaga leaves the WCC.

UC San Diego romps

Forward Leo Beath led the way as the UC San Diego men improved to 11-2 Sunday afternoon with an 85-62 victory over NAIA member Stanton (2-8) at LionTree Arena.

Jaden Vance scored 16 points for the Tritons, while Alex Chaikin scored 13 and 6-11 forward Bol Dengdit had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

USD women lose

USD’s women’s team (6-8) lost its WCC opener 68-46 at Santa Clara (11-3) Sunday afternoon. Kylie Ray was the only Torero to finish in double figures with 10 points. Lilly Amor went 3 for 7 from 3-point range.