A missed layup on a potential game-winning basket that rimmed out. A pair of missed 1-and-1 free-throw attempts in the final 53 seconds. A handful of other point-blank misses throughout the second half of a close game.
Those were key events in USD’s season-opening 68-67 home loss to Rider Wednesday night.
Coach Steve Lavin’s Toreros are right back at it Friday when they host Boston University at 7 p.m.
The cruelest moment of Wednesday’s loss came with 3 seconds to go. Junior guard Kjay Bradley Jr., who had scored 16 of his game-high 24 points in the second half, drove left, got to the rim and released a left-handed layup.
The ball kissed off the glass and rolled around the rim before spitting out.
Sophomore forward Santiago Trouet’s contested attempt at a rebound tap-in also kissed off the rim — fitting on a night when it felt like the north end basket had a lid on it at times.
I thought it went in,” said Bradley, a transfer from San Diego City College who was often spectacular while repeatedly getting into the paint and to the rim. “I mean, I made like 20 other layups it felt like…but, it happens to everybody. I’ll take it on the chin. It is what it is.”
Lavin went with a 10-man rotation and his team did a lot of good things, like jumping out to an 8-2 lead, finishing with a 40-36 rebounding edge and overcoming a choppy start to the second half to take a one-point lead with 1:38 to play.
Senior guard Kody Clouet, the former San Marcos High School star who transferred in from Southeastern Oklahoma State, scored 13 points with four rebounds and two steals. David Simon, an intriguing 6-foot-11 sophomore forward who was limited to four games last season due to injury, finished with 12 points and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to go with two blocks.
Trouet pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds with eight points and three assists.
“We’re learning as we go,” Lavin said. “We have some guys coming back from injuries and missed practice time but there are elements we can build on going forward.”
BU (0-1) is coming off a season-opening 80-72 loss to Northeastern. The game will stream on ESPN+.
Tritons set for home opener
UC San Diego (0-1) will look to build on a solid showing in Wednesday’s 63-58 loss at San Diego State in Saturday’s home opener against Pepperdine at LionTree Arena.
Pepperdine (1-0) opened its season with a 77-64 win over Western Illinois Wednesday.
If some were surprised to see the Tritons play the Aztecs so tough for the second straight season, coach Eric Olen was not.
“We have an older group, and they know what we’re trying to do on the floor,” Olen said. “They’re just good basketball players. I know not everybody in the building expected us to play well, but we expect to have success when we take the floor.
The 7 p.m. game against Pepperdine will stream on ESPN+.
PLNU rolling
Point Loma Nazarene (2-0) plays Cal State East Bay (0-0) Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Stanislaus State (0-0) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Hayward as part of the PacWest/CCAA Conference Challenge. Both games will stream via go.flosports.tv.
The Sea Lions, who return every key player from last season’s PacWest championship team, already own wins over No. 22 Fort Lewis and No. 19 Florida Southern. A good weekend performance could lead to a national ranking.
Following last Saturday’s win over Florida Southern, which had previously knocked off No. 1 and defending national champion Minnesota State, PLNU coach Justin Downer praised his team.
“Our group left no doubt they belong in the conversation with the top teams in the country,” Downer said. “I’m proud of their play, but I’m more proud of their togetherness and willingness to play for each other.”
G League Clippers open season at home
San Diegos newest professional sports team, the San Diego Clippers of the G League, open their season Friday night at Oceansides new Frontwave Arena.
Tip-off for the Bill Walton Night game against the Rip City Remix is 7 p.m. The game is part of the G Leagues Tip-Off Tournament, which lasts through next months G League Winter Showcase. Team records will reset ahead of the 34-game regular season, which tips off Dec. 27.
The Los Angeles Clippers minor-league affiliate, the San Diego Clippers relocated from Ontario to Oceanside over the summer. Theyll play at Frontwave, which is also home to the San Diego Sockers of the Major Arena Soccer League and San Diego Strike Force of the Indoor Football League.
The San Diego Clippers are coached by Paul Hewitt, who led Georgia Tech to an appearance in the 2004 national championship game.