After starting the season 0-9 overall and 0-4 in conference, the UCSD women’s basketball team fought its way back to a 9-9 record in the conference and was on a roll going on the road on Feb. 28 and March 1. But visits to UC Davis and Chico State showed the Tritons they still have a lot to work on.
On Feb. 28, the Tritons traveled to Davis to try to avenge an 80-60 loss to the Aggies at RIMAC Arena earlier this year. The Tritons started the game hot and led by 11 points with 18 minutes to go in the game. But Davis went on a 22-5 run to get back in the game. The lead would change hands throughout the second half, but the Aggies made nine out of 10 free throws late in the game to secure the 72-63 victory.
“”We didn’t play the way we’ve been playing,”” said guard Nicholle Bromley. “”We stopped attacking offensively.””
Ali Ginn led the Tritons with a game-high 25 points to go along with five rebounds. Stacy Gallagher-Bolton added nine points and six rebounds, while Margaret Johnson scored eight points and pulled down six boards in the UCSD loss.
While Ginn was the only Triton in double figures, Davis had four players who scored 13 or more, led by center Sarah Allen, who had a double-double with 18 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
On March 1, the Tritons looked to bounce back with a win at Chico State. Standing in their way were the red-hot Wildcats, who were playing their final home game of the regular season.
Behind a huge performance from Kim Abts, Chico scored in every way possible and ran the Tritons out of the gym early, then cruised to a final score of 101-77.
“”It was their senior night, and they’re one of the best offensive teams we’ve played this season,”” Bromley said.
For the Tritons, freshman forward Katie Anderson had a breakout game, scoring a team- and career-high 17 points (8-for-9 from the field) in 11 minutes off the bench. Lauren Sargent and Ginn added 12 points apiece.
“”It felt great to be able to go out and help the team as much as I could,”” said Anderson, who is one of five freshmen on the UCSD roster. “”We didn’t play horrible, they just hit everything.””
The Wildcats shot 69 percent in the first half and led 61-28 at halftime. Chico would shoot over 50 percent for the game led by Abts, who had 30 points.
UCSD is now 9-11 in conference and 9-16 overall.
The Tritons will host San Francisco State and Sonoma State in their final games of the season on March 7 and March 8.
“”We’re definitely looking forward to next week,”” Bromley said.
March 8, the team’s last game of the year, is senior night, and Bromley is the only senior on the squad this season.