SAN FRANCISCO – After a five-game road trip, the San Francisco State men's basketball team returned home Saturday night, but UC San Diego spoiled the occasion, handing the Gators a 66-59 defeat at the Main Gymnasium. Despite double-digit scoring efforts from three players, SF State could not come up with the winning formula, slipping to 8-7 on the season and 2-6 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Meanwhile, the Tritons improve to 8-6 overall and 5-3 in conference action.
“UC San Diego played tremendous defense tonight, so quality shots were hard to come by,” said Gator head coach Bill Treseler. “We are definitely spinning in the mud, but the good news is everyone is out of the car trying to push it out. This is too good of team to continue struggling and better things are around the corner.”
Martin Flores (Woodland, California, Woodland, Solano Junior College) and
Robert Hayes (San Diego, California, St. Augustine) shared team-high honors with 17 points apiece, while
Alex Thomas (Vallejo, California, Hogan, Dominican University) tossed in 12. Flores' scoring total was a career high, as he and Thomas posted a team-best five rebounds each. Hayes, meanwhile, connected on a season-high four 3-pointers while coming up with three steals.
The two sides battled throughout an evenly fought first half, with SF State on the short end of a 29-27 score at halftime. The Tritons then pulled away in the latter stages of the second half, highlighted by Shane Poppen's key layup with under a minute left to play.
UCSD owned a 39-24 rebounding advantage in the contest and also outscored the Gators, 26-8, in second-chance points. SF State only got to the free-throw line 12 times, hitting just five foul shots, while the Tritons drained 24 of 30 attempts from the charity stripe.
UCSD was led by Jordan Lawley, who poured in a game-high 23 points, including a 10-for-11 effort from the free-throw line, while Poppen added 18 points and a game-best nine rebounds.
SF State returns to the hardwood next weekend when it makes another trek to Southern California against two CCAA foes. The Gators will square off against Cal State San Bernardino on Friday, Jan. 23, before battling Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday, Jan. 24. Both games are scheduled to get underway at 7:30 p.m.
Box Score
