Irvine Stopped by 42 Free Throws

Here was an intriguing matchup: One team couldn’t shoot; the other couldn’t hold onto the ball.

But in the end, thanks to marvelous free-throw shooting, the University of San Diego’s 27 turnovers did less damage than UC Irvine’s 41% from the field, and the Toreros dragged away a 96-82 victory Thursday night.

In front of 1,841 in Irvine’s Bren Center, San Diego set a school record by making 42 of 46 free throws.

“That’s ridiculous,” Irvine guard Zuri Williams said. “I’ve never heard of anything like that.

“If you give a team 46 attempts from the free-throw line, of course they’re going to beat you.”

The Toreros, who made only 65% of their free throws last season, made 12 of 13 attempts in the first half and then made 15 of their first 17 second-half points at the line.

Then, they made their last 15 attempts of the game.

Lloyd Mumford led Irvine (1-2) with 17 points, Jermaine Avie added 16 and Todd Whitehead 15. San Diego (2-0) was led by guard Doug Harris, who had 27 points and was 13 of 14 from the line.

The Toreros never trailed after the game was seven minutes old.