In a that game University of San Diego Men’s Basketball head coach Bill Grier labeled a “must win”, the Toreros (6-8) were successful in achieving their coach’s desired result with a 63-56 win over Savannah State (5-9). However, the manner in which the game was won revealed there are still several glaring issues present.
The Toreros, when operating efficiently, were terrific on both sides of the court. They forced numerous offensive fouls and shot clock violations from Savannah State with their sound defensive efforts. Roberto Mafra (pictured) led USD with 14 points.
Head coach Bill Grier was pleased with the way USD’s defense led to offensive chances:
The offense shot 56.8% from the field, including a 65% clip in the first half which helped the Toreros to a 39-28 lead at halftime. The team’s leading rebounder was Chris Lewis who finished with 9 rebounds to go with 12 points.
However, a Torero lead that swelled to as much as 15 during the 2nd half was cut to 6 by Savannah State, and may have been erased completely had a Savannah State three point attempt found the bottom of the net with just under 30 seconds left in the second half.
Read more and hear from Chris Lewis and Coach Grier after the jump:
The most apparent problem for USD is the fact that they have been a poor second half team in the majority of their games this season. The Toreros have allowed double digit leads to evaporate in the second half against multiple teams this season, including a 19 point lead with 13 minutes left against UC Riverside which resulted in a 58-55 loss. The Toreros are 2-6 in their last eight games, and six of those games have seen the Toreros ahead at halftime.
The proverbial thorn in the side of the Toreros has been the turnover statistic. The Toreros were careless with the ball, particularly in the 2nd half while amassing a total of 18 turnovers versus 11 for Savannah State.
Coach Bill Grier acknowledged his team’s reluctance to win games in convincing fashion, but he spoke about the team’s ability to put together a more complete effort when it was needed against Savannah State.
Chris Lewis had what may have been his best all-around game of the season, but recognizes, as does Coach Grier, that the upcoming test against Mississippi State will indeed prove to be a difficult one.
The Toreros will face reigning SEC Champion Mississippi State on Thursday at 4:05 PM. The Toreros were victorious in their trip to Mississippi State last year. Mississippi State features the nation’s leading shot blocker Jarvis Varnado who averages an unheard of 5.3 blocks per game.
Noteworthy: Brandon Johnson’s lone made field goal attempt was a 30 foot three pointer to beat the buzzer at the end of the 1st half….Savannah State guard Preston Blackmon was 0-12 from the field despite leading all Savannah State players in minutes played with 36.
BONUS: COMPLETE POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
Bill Grier:
Chris Lewis:
