In a preseason exhibition hosted by University of San Diego, the UCSD women’s basketball team beat the Division I crosstown rival Toreros, 78-72, on Nov. 6 at Jenny Craig Pavilion. Despite a score that remained close throughout the game, UCSD maintained the lead from the half.
Both teams returned to the court for the start of the 2004-05 season dealing with the challenge of young rosters. The only three senior veterans on the Triton bench are forward Katie McGann, and centers Margaret Johnson and Stacy Gallagher-Bolton, though the squad is weighted heavily by 10 undercalssmen. UCSD head coach Judy Malone begins her 29th season with the Tritons.
The Tritons established its margin over USD in the first few minutes of the game with a strong first half from behind the three-point arc and the free-throw line, hitting five-of-15 attempts from downtown against the Torero’s .143 percentage and sinking .778 from the foul line to USD’s lackluster .429. The Tritons held a .424 shooting percentage through the first half, but were shooting more often than the Toreros, who had a .480 shooting percentage, helping the Tritons take a 41-30 first-half lead.
UCSD’s offense continued its dominance in the second half, dropping two-of-five three-point shots, plus a .374 field-goal percentage combined with an 18-for-24 record from the line to keep the Tritons in control. USD made its last stand with a strong second-half performance, sinking 15-of-37 field goals, but only shooting 3-for-13 from behind the three-point line.
Johnson played exceptionally well for the Tritons, posting 10 rebounds, four points from the floor and draining 14-of-16 free throws. Sophomore guard Leora Juster led the team in field goals, shooting 6-for-13 with a three-pointer and three field goals to combine for 16 points. Sophomore forward Hillary Hansen and sophomore guard Kim Buffum tallied 12 points apiece for the Tritons, including Buffum’s team-high four three-point shots.
Triton defense played exceptionally strong against the Toreros’ powerful dribbling skills. Hansen and Juster led the team in defensive rebounds with five and four, respectively.
The greatest threat against the Tritions in the game was Torero freshman center Amber Sprague, who led her team with 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Tritons take the court again at the Pepsi Tip-Off Classic in Mankato, Minn., where UCSD faces UM Crookston on Nov. 19, then Upper, Iowa on Nov. 20. The Tritons first home game will be against Cal State Bakersfield at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 at RIMAC Arena.
