Feb. 22, 2003

(San Diego) - Freshman Joy Hollingsworth poured in a career-high 26 points, but it was not enough to overcome a determined San Diego team playing at home on senior night as the Toreros rolled to a 76-72 victory in West Coast Conference women's action Saturday at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. USF (10-16, 5-7 WCC) gets swept in the season series by San Diego (11-14, 5-7 WCC) and sees their four-game league road winning streak halted.

USF jumped out to a quick lead and took their biggest lead at 5-0 with 17:10 left. Once the Toreros took their first lead of the game at the 14:10 on a 3-pointer by Melissa Padgett and never looked back and did not surrender the lead the rest of the way. USD led by as many as 12 in the first half, 23-11 with 6:20 remaining. San Francisco stormed back with a 12-1 run to close to within one, 24-23 at 2:59, but San Diego extended their lead 38-32 at the half.

In the second, USF made several runs at the Toreros, but San Diego would bend but not break. Each time USF would pull to within a one possession game, USD would add a bucket or make a key stop. Hollingsworth pulled the Lady Dons to within two, 74-72 with 0:37 remaining in the contest, but a pair of Torero free throws extended the lead to four and San Diego held on for the victory.

San Francisco came into the contest with a one game lead in the conference race over San Diego and were in sole possession of fourth place and a first round bye in the upcoming WCC Tournament in tow weeks. With two games remaining, the Toreros and Lady Dons are tied and USD owns the tiebreaker via the season sweep of USF.

Hollingsworth led all scorers with 27 points and added four rebounds in 36 minutes, while junior forward Carey Sauer scored 16 points for the Lady Dons.

Senior center Erin Malich led three Toreros in double-figure scoring with 19 points and eight rebounds in her final regular season home appearance. Sophomore guard Polly Dong scored 15 points, while junior forward Marta Menuez added 11. USF held a huge rebound edge, 40-27, but could not overcome 21 turnovers.

USF returns to action when they host Loyola Marymount Friday, Feb. 28. Tip-off against the Lions is scheduled for 7:00 PM at War Memorial Gym.