SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — In a game defined by blistering offensive efficiency and a dramatic second-half surge, the San Diego Toreros outlasted the Washington State Cougars 96-92 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Wednesday night at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

The contest, which saw both teams far exceed their season scoring averages, was ultimately decided by San Diego’s superior ball security and ability to capitalize on Washington State mistakes. The Toreros committed only six turnovers, converting them into 13 points, while the Cougars’ 10 giveaways proved costly in a tight matchup.

San Diego guard Ty-Laur Johnson, a sophomore from Brooklyn, New York, led all scorers with 28 points, spearheading a Torero attack that operated with remarkable precision. San Diego scored 96 points on just 69 possessions, an offensive rating of 138.8, and shot 52.1% from the field, including 15 of 28 from three-point range.

Washington State, despite a valiant 60-point second half, could not overcome a 10-point halftime deficit. The Cougars were led by Ace Glass III, who scored 29 points, and ND Okafor, who added 21 points. The Cougars shot 48.4% overall and a stellar 84% from the free-throw line but were hampered by a stagnant assist count of just four for the game.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the final minute with San Diego clinging to a 94-92 lead. After a Washington State timeout with 20 seconds remaining, the Cougars set up a play for Glass, whose potential go-ahead three-point attempt from the wing missed with two seconds left. San Diego’s Gavin Ripp secured the defensive rebound, was fouled, and sank two free throws to seal the victory.

The first half set the tone for San Diego’s efficiency. After Washington State’s Eemeli Yalaho opened the scoring with a three-pointer, the Toreros responded with a 13-2 run, fueled by early transition opportunities and defensive activity. Johnson and Tim Moore, who scored 13 of his points before halftime, consistently found seams in the Cougar defense. San Diego built its lead as large as 13 points and took a 42-32 advantage into the break, shooting 7 of 14 from beyond the arc.

Washington State emerged from halftime with renewed urgency, primarily through the driving efforts of Glass and the interior presence of Okafor. A 9-2 Cougar run early in the period cut the deficit to three points, and the teams traded baskets in a fiercely contested second half that featured eight ties and 10 lead changes.

Every time Washington State drew even or took a slim lead, San Diego had an answer, often from deep. Juanse Gorosito and Vuk Boskovic each hit crucial second-half threes, with Boskovic’s triple from the top of the key giving the Toreros an 84-81 lead with just over five minutes to play. Johnson’s step-back jumper at the 4:04 mark pushed the lead to 86-82, a margin Washington State could never quite erase.

The loss dropped Washington State to 8-13 overall, while San Diego improved to 9-12. The combined 188 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 154, highlighting the unexpected offensive explosion.

Johnson’s 28-point performance continued a strong individual stretch for the guard, following 18 and 19-point outings in his previous two games. For Washington State, the defeat marked their fourth loss in five games.

San Diego next hosts Santa Clara on Saturday. Washington State returns home to face Pepperdine, also on Saturday.