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As they prepared for Wednesday night’s home game against Division III Marian University, USD coach Steve Lavin and his staff were continuing to juggle starting units and five-man combinations in search of an ideal mix.
The Toreros (2-4) snapped a three-game losing skid with a 68-61 home win over Idaho on Saturday and will try to carry those vibes into the toughest part of the early-season schedule.
On Tuesday, the Toreros visit Arizona State. Three days later, they’ll make the short bus trip to face San Diego State. On Dec. 10, they host Long Beach State.
“When you’re losing games as we had been, it can feel as though you are in the desert,” Lavin said. “So you need the win to get that pep in the step. To get that wind back in the sails. Practice has a different vibe and energy to it and you’re looking forward to the next game.”
Players who have made the most of increased playing time recently are freshman guard Tony Duckett (Carlsbad High School) and senior guard Deven Dahlke. Sophomore forward Santiago Trouet is coming off his best performance of the season.
After using 13 players in a 72-67 loss to Southern Utah on Friday, Lavin tightened his rotation to 10 men against Idaho.
“Coach is always saying: stay ready,” Dahlke said. “Put your work in every day and then just be ready when your name is called. That’s what it’s about.”
Next up: Wednesday night vs. Marian University (6-0), late. Tuesday at Arizona State (5-1), 6 p.m. Streaming: ESPN+.
Sea Lions moving on up
Point Loma Nazarene (6-1) moved up the Division II rankings from No. 17 to No. 13 following Saturday’s 92-88 win over No. 12 St. Martins in Lacey, Wash.
It was the third win over a ranked team for coach Justin Downer’s squad this season. The Sea Lions’ only loss was a 76-65 decision at No. 7 Cal State San Bernardino on Nov. 16.
PLNU is without guard Jake Lifgren, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Still, the Sea Lions appear to be in a good place heading into this weekend’s PLNU Thanksgiving Classic.
PLNU’s starting lineup features four players who score in double figures. The Sea Lions’ defense is holding opponents to 72.1 points per game on 43.4% shooting.
“We’re playing pretty well, but I don’t think we are near as good as we can be,” senior guard Luke Haupt said. “We’ve had a tough schedule with so many road games but now that we’re getting some games at home, so I think we’ll have a chance to really settle in.”
Next up: Friday vs. Seattle Pacific (2-4), 2 p.m.; Saturday vs. Central Washington (3-2), 4 p.m. Streaming: pacwestnetwork.tv
Tritons resting
After beating La Salle, James Madison and Toledo to capture the Boardwalk Battle championship in Daytona Beach, Fla., last week, the UC San Diego Tritons had a full week off.
The Tritons (5-2) host Division III La Verne on Saturday and then get down to the business of preparing for Big West Conference play, which opens with a game at UC Santa Barbara (4-1) on Dec. 5.
The Tritons finished 15-5 in Big West play last season, second behind UC Irvine (17-3). They were picked to finish third in this year’s preseason coach’s poll, behind UC Irvine and Santa Barbara.
Guard Tyler McGhie was named Big West Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 21.0 points in the three games.
Next up: Saturday vs. La Verne (1-4), 2 p.m. Streaming: ESPN+.
Clippers update
The G League’s San Diego Clippers (4-2) finished with a season low in points in a 95-85 loss to the South Bay Lakers on Tuesday night.
The Clippers, who averaged a G League-best 125.5 points per game entering Tuesday’s contest, were held to 32.6% shooting. They made only 8 of 32 3-pointers.
Next up: Friday at Rip City Remix (1-5), 1 p.m.; Sunday vs. Stockton Kings (5-1), 6:30 p.m. Streaming: NBAGleague.com.
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