In a riveting West Coast Conference matchup, the San Francisco Dons secured a decisive 81-69 victory over the San Diego Toreros, thanks in large part to Malik Thomas' stellar performance. The game, held on Saturday, saw Thomas emerge as the top scorer for the Dons with 17 points, demonstrating his prowess on the court and guiding his team to triumph.
Thomas was effective from the field, hitting 5 of his 11 shot attempts. He also showed composure from the charity stripe, converting 6 of his 7 free throws, further solidifying his contribution to the team's success. Though his long-range efforts were less fruitful, with only 1 of 4 successful attempts, his performance in other areas was pivotal in halting the Toreros' efforts.
The Dons, now boasting a 17-6 overall record and 7-3 in the conference standings, also benefitted from the efforts of Tyrone Riley IV, who added 16 points. Riley's sharp shooting was evident as he capitalized on 4 of his 8 field goal attempts and connected 2 out of 3 from beyond the arc, enhancing the Dons' scoring dynamics.
Complementing Thomas and Riley in the scoring department was Carlton Linguard, who contributed 13 points, including three critical three-pointers. Linguard's performance was instrumental during the game, especially noteworthy before halftime when he led the team's scoring with eight points.
On the opposing side, the San Diego Toreros struggled to keep pace despite some standout individual performances. Tony Duckett led the Toreros with 17 points, supported by Joey Chammaa's 12 points and Deven Dahlke's 11. Despite their efforts, the team could not overcome the Dons' well-rounded display, extending their losing streak to eight games, leaving them with a 4-18 record overall and 1-8 in conference play.
The first half concluded with a narrow 32-28 lead for San Francisco, setting the stage for an intense second half. A key moment in the game came when the Dons initiated a 9-0 run, extending their lead to 62-48. This decisive scoring burst changed the momentum in San Francisco's favor, as they consistently widened the gap and controlled the remainder of the game.
Malik Thomas further distinguished himself in the second half, adding 14 points to his already impressive tally, proving instrumental in maintaining San Francisco's lead and securing the victory. His grit and determination under pressure played a crucial role in ensuring a positive outcome for the Dons.
This victory affirms San Francisco's competitive edge in the West Coast Conference, as they continue to battle their way through the season, driven by strategic gameplay and standout individual performances. The outcome also highlights areas for improvement for the Toreros, as they seek to rebound from a challenging stretch and reclaim their footing in future engagements.