(Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by missed shots and relentless rebounding, the San Diego Toreros grinded out a 65-55 victory over the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, Arizona.

The game was a stark contrast in offensive efficiency, with San Diego’s ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and convert at the free-throw line proving to be the decisive factors. The Toreros improved their season record to 3-5, while the Redhawks fell to 2-4.

San Diego established control of the game not through sharp shooting, but by dominating the glass, particularly on the offensive end. The Toreros hauled in 20 offensive rebounds, leading to a significant advantage in second-chance points and extra possessions. This compensated for a difficult shooting afternoon for both teams, as San Diego converted just 23 of 64 field goal attempts and Southeast Missouri State managed only 21 makes on 58 attempts.

The contest remained tight through the first half, with Southeast Missouri State’s Lexi McCully providing an early spark. McCully scored the game’s first basket on a layup and, assisted by Ainaya Williams, helped the Redhawks build a small initial lead. San Diego responded by working the ball inside and drawing fouls, with Ayla Williams and Eva Ruse getting to the line to keep the Toreros close.

The first quarter concluded with San Diego holding a narrow 16-14 lead after a late pull-up jumper from Hallie Rhodes. The back-and-forth nature of the game continued into the second period. Carmen Taylor and Raissa Nsabua connected on key shots for the Redhawks, but San Diego’s Olivia Owens and Eva Ruse consistently answered to maintain a slim Torero advantage. The half ended with San Diego leading 33-31, setting the stage for a pivotal second half.

The third quarter saw San Diego begin to create separation. The Toreros’ defense tightened, forcing several Redhawk turnovers and converting them into transition opportunities. A critical sequence involved consecutive baskets from Ruse and Dresha Moore, extending the San Diego lead and forcing a Southeast Missouri State timeout. While the Redhawks’ McCully continued to find ways to score, the team’s offensive struggles were compounded by San Diego’s relentless rebounding, which limited Southeast Missouri State’s own chances and allowed the Toreros to methodically build their lead to 46-39 by the end of the period.

San Diego put the game away in the fourth quarter with a decisive 9-2 run. The surge was fueled by Hallie Rhodes, who knocked down a crucial three-pointer and followed it with a tip-in layup, forcing another Redhawks timeout. Southeast Missouri State attempted to mount a late comeback, with McCully and Kearra Jones scoring in the paint, but every Redhawks basket was met with a response from San Diego. Eva Ruse and Helen Holley were instrumental in the final minutes, scoring inside and converting free throws to seal the 10-point victory.

Individually, San Diego was led by a dominant performance from Eva Ruse. The 6-foot-2 forward from North Vancouver, Canada, scored 20 points and grabbed 8 rebounds while also recording 2 blocks. Hallie Rhodes of Keller, Texas, was equally vital, contributing 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists, often making plays at critical moments. Olivia Owens from Columbus, Ohio, filled the stat sheet with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, orchestrating the offense and controlling the boards.

For Southeast Missouri State, Lexi McCully shouldered the scoring load with a game-high 17 points. Raissa Nsabua of Ottawa, Canada, provided a well-rounded effort with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Carmen Taylor of Memphis, Tennessee, added 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The game was a testament to San Diego’s resilience and physicality. Despite committing 16 turnovers and shooting poorly from the field, the Toreros’ overwhelming rebounding advantage and efficient free-throw shooting, where they made 15 of 20 attempts compared to the Redhawks’ 8 of 10, were the foundational elements of the win. Southeast Missouri State, which scored 55 points on 68 possessions, was ultimately undone by an inability to secure defensive rebounds and generate consistent offense against a determined San Diego squad.