Bowling Green faces off against Kent State in crucial MAC showdown

In a West Coast Conference showdown, the Pacific Tigers faced the San Diego Toreros on January 3, 2025. The game took place at San Diego, where the Toreros held a 3-4 record in home games prior to the matchup. Both teams were struggling in their conference play, with Pacific sitting at 5-9 and 1-3 in the WCC, whereas San Diego was at 4-9 and 0-4 in the conference. The game marked the first meeting between the two teams this season in league play. San Diego had notable performance statistics, leading the WCC with an impressive average of 11.6 offensive rebounds per game, largely attributed to Courtney Wristen’s contribution of 2.2. On the other hand, Pacific was struggling defensively, permitting 68.7 points per game, which highlighted their need for stronger defensive strategies as they were being outscored by 4.0 points on average per game. This matchup would be crucial for both teams in terms of improving their standings in the conference. As they prepared for the game, Pacific’s standout player, Liz Smith, was averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, serving as a key player in their offensive strategy. Meanwhile, Ava Ranson was a primary performer for the Toreros, contributing an average of 10.6 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals. The performance of these players would be vital in determining their respective team's success during the face-off. On the day of the game, the anticipation built for fans and players as it marked an important opportunity for San Diego to get their first conference win against a struggling Pacific side. With both teams eager for a victory to turn around their poor performance records, the excitement was palpable as they entered the court. The outcome of the game was set to play a pivotal role in influencing their confidence and momentum moving forward in the season.