LA JOLLA, Calif.--- The UC San Diego Tritons built a 21-point lead mid-way through the second half which keyed their 59-52 victory over the visiting SF State Gators in La Jolla this evening. With the win, the Tritons improve to 13-9 overall and 11-4 in the CCAA.
Dominique Hunter (San Francisco, California, Gateway) paced the Gators with a game high 18 points while freshman
Sherika Miller (San Diego, California, West Hills HS)added a season high 15 points.
"To lose by seven on the road against a quality team such as UC San Diego is a solid team effort," said SF State Head Coach Joaquin Wallace. "However, we stress three key aspects: layups, putbacks, and free throws," added Wallace. "For that reason, when u miss seven free throws and two uncontested lay-up, it is hard to win."
Chelsea Carlisle had 15 points and 8 assists to lead the way for UC San Diego while Lauren Freidenberg chipped in 11 and Daisy Feder added 10 points. The Tritons were held to just 38% shooting from the field including 33% from three-point range by SF State (1-18, 1-14 CCAA).
The Gators shot 41% from the field including 45% in the second half to key their second half, which fell short.
UC San Diego built a 7-2 lead early in the second half and increased it to 20-10 with 8:12 left in the half on a Daisy Feder lay-up. The Gators followed that with a 7-2 run of their own to cut the host's lead to 22-17 capped by
Dominique Hunter's two made free throws with just 4:46 to go in the first stanza.
The Tritons ended the half outscoring SF State 6-2 to take a 28-19 lead into the locker room.
The hosts continued their run in the second half as they outscored the Gators 20-8 in the first 12 minutes of the second half to take a 48-27 lead, but SF State would not give up.
Miller's lay-up with 2:48 to go in the game capped a 18-5 run by the Gators to cut the lead to single digits (53-45), but Lauren Freidenberg converted a lay-up to put the Tritons make up by ten as they held on for the 59-52 victory.
SF State will continue its four-game road trip this Saturday, February 5 in Hayward, Calif., for a 5:30pm scheduled tip-off with Cal State East Bay. The Pioneers lost 52-21 to Cal State Monterey Bay this evening in Hayward.
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