Jan. 21, 2008
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Brandon Johnson hit a fade-away 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift San Diego to a 64-61 win over Portland on Monday.
Portland's Sherrard Watson was fouled with 8.8 seconds left and hit one of two free throws to tie the score at 61. San Diego opted not to use a timeout. Johnson ran down the remaining seconds before hoisting the game-winning basket under heavy defensive pressure.
Gyno Pomare led the Toreros (9-11, 2-1 West Coast Conference) with 16 points. Johnson added 12 points, all from 3-point range. Rob Jones had nine points, nine rebounds and five steals, and Devin Ginty chipped in with 11 points and 7 assists. USD returns to the JCP this Saturday to take on Santa Clara.
Robin Smeulders led Portland (6-13, 1-3) with 15 points and nine rebounds.
San Diego shot 56 percent in the first half and had a 36-28 lead at the break. The Toreros made just 42 percent of their shots in the second half, allowing the Pilots to get back in the game.
Smeulders hit a short jumper to give the Pilots a 55-54 lead with 4:47 left. The forward followed with an inside basket to push the lead to three.
But San Diego regained the lead, 61-60, when Pomare converted a three-point play with 19 seconds left.
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