LAS VEGAS — No doubt, San Diego entered the West Coast Conference Tournament this week having gone through a major ordeal.
The Toreros’ head coach, Lamont Smith, was placed on administrative leave after being arrested last Sunday. Assistant Sam Scholl was named acting head coach.
USD rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to tie the game with three minutes left but BYU held on for an 85-79 victory at Orleans Arena.
“They play with a lot of heart. Occasionally, that heart turns into some chippiness,” Cougar forward Luke Worthington said of USD. “They’re had a rough go, especially losing their coach.