SAN DIEGO - For nearly 37 minutes on Saturday, it looked familiar for USD.
Pacific controlled the tempo, dictated stretches of play and led for 36:40 of game time. San Diego trailed for the vast majority of the contest at Jenny Craig Pavilion. The Toreros held the lead for just over three minutes total. USD had been here before – competitive, within reach, but unable to finish.
But this time, the ending was different from what the Toreros are used to.
The Toreros (10-21, 4-14 WCC) rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat the University of the Pacific (11-18, 6-12 WCC) 64-59, using a late surge and timely execution to flip a game that had long tilted in the Tigers’ favor. To make the win just that much better, it sent off senior twins Hallie and Jayden Rhodes for their last game on the Jenny Craig floor.
“We’ve played a lot of close games throughout this year,” Hallie said, “so I think having that experience helped us keep our cool and just stay focused to get the win.”
Jessica Ajayi played a pivotal role in the victory. The junior guard delivered 14 points, including two three pointers, spacing the floor and providing timely offense when USD’s attack stalled in the middle quarters. Her shot selection and confidence helped stabilize a team that had struggled in late-game possessions throughout conference play.
Hallie Rhodes led all scorers with 18 points, while Olivia Owens added 17 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, controlling the glass and converting crucial free throws in the final minute. The trio accounted for 49 of San Diego’s 64 points, production that proved essential in a game defined by small margins.
The Rhodes sisters are the only seniors on the Torero team and started Saturday’s game together. Thomas Christensen/USD Athletics
Statistically, the teams were nearly even. USD shot 37.9% from the field compared to Pacific’s 37%. But the fourth quarter told the real story.
San Diego outscored Pacific 19-10 in the final frame, shooting 64% after struggling to find rhythm earlier. Meanwhile, Pacific, which shot 54% in the first half, cooled dramatically, finishing at just 19% in the second half.
“I thought we continued to fight and continued to pick up and our energy is so contagious when we have really good energy,” head coach Blanche Alverson said.
When Pacific made its final field goal with 2:26 remaining, San Diego answered with defensive stops, second-chance opportunities and successful trips to the free throw line to seal the win.
It wasn’t a dominant performance, but rather a finished one.
Why is the win important?
Before Saturday, San Diego had lost nine conference games by 10 points or fewer, games where they were within striking distance but unable to execute in the closing minutes.
That pattern had defined their season.
Hallie Rhodes dropped 18 points for her last game in the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Thomas Christensen/USD Athletics
Despite trailing for nearly the whole game, the Toreros stayed poised. Ajayi provided efficient perimeter scoring, Rhodes attacked when needed. Owens controlled the boards and delivered at the free throw line. The defense tightened at exactly the right moment.
The difference wasn’t talent, but execution.
Closing out a game that mirrored so many of their previous losses signals growth. It shows a team learning how to manage late game pressure, how to string together stops, value possessions and trust its scorers when everything slows down.
Next up
Finding a way to close out a game works well for the team going into the West Coast Conference tournament March 5-10 in Las Vegas.. They will likely face Washington State in the first round, a team they lost to by four, 80-76, on Feb. 5. In the WCC's unbalanced schedule, USD and WSU only played one time.
Top photo: Jessica Ajayi played an important role in Saturday's win against Pacific. Thomas Christensen/USD Athletics
