SAN DIEGO — Duda Sanadze scored 15 points, including a basket with 59 seconds to go that put San Diego ahead for good, as the Toreros defeated Portland 61-59 on Thursday night.
After Sanadze’s bucket, Johnny Dee, who also scored 15 points, added two free throws for a 60-56 lead.
The Pilots (15-12, 7-8 West Coast Conference) trailed 61-59 with 2.4 seconds left when USD fouled Bobby Sharp on an inbounds pass. He made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second, but the rebound went to Sanadze.
USD (15-14, 6-10) led by four at halftime. Portland took its first lead of the second half with 3:32 left. The Pilots then either held the lead or were tied until Sanadze’s big basket.
The Pilots were without their leading scorer, Kevin Bailey, who sat out with a calf injury. Thomas van der Mars led Portland with 18 points with Sharp adding 16.
