The UCSD women’s basketball team dropped a tough game to visiting Sonoma State State on Jan. 30, 60-55. The loss dropped their record to 9-7 overall, 5-6 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Sonoma State improved to 9-7 overall with a 6-5 record in CCAA play.
Guardian
The night started off well in front of the huge Spirit Night crowd. Junior forward Margaret Johnson and freshman forward Hillary Hansen got the team off to a quick 11-2 lead with seven and four points, respectively.
Hansen, who usually comes off the bench, was given the start in this game. Senior guard Ali Ginn was impressed with the entire bench’s effort.
“”The bench players stepped up tonight, [senior Robyn] Phillips and Hansen played really well,”” she said. “”Our main scorers weren’t getting their baskets, and the bench players helped pick up the slack.””
The lead began to dwindle when halftime approached however, as Sonoma State went on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to two points. They eventually managed to tie it with less than a minute left in the half, but a bucket by junior center Stacy Bolton-Gallagher gave the Tritons a two point lead heading into the locker room.
The Tritons again had strong play in the opening part of the half as they went on an 8-0 run to take the lead at 44-34 with 13 minutes remaining. Phillips and junior forward Katie McGann each poured in four points.
Sonoma State stopped the bleeding quickly and within minutes had put together a 13-0 run to take their first lead of the night at 47-44. Aiding Sonoma State’s run was Johnson’s foul trouble. She picked up her fourth of the game early in the second half and had to remain out of the game until the end.
“”It hurt having her out,”” Ginn said. “”Our team goes along with how Margaret goes. If she’s playing well, we’re all playing well.””
The teams then battled back and forth and began to exchange free throws. Sonoma State had the lead at five points, up 56-51, but four straight points by McGann cut the lead to one, despite the fact that Johnson fouled out during this stretch.
Sonoma State began to pull away at 59-55, and two missed free throws and a blocked three point attempt ensured the victory. They added another free-throw in the final seconds to win 60-55.
Johnson’s 13 points led all Triton scorers, and she also had seven rebounds in addition. Bolton-Gallagher grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds in addition to her five points. No Triton other than Johnson broke double digits in scoring, but they had well-balanced scoring. Ten of the 11 players getting minutes in the game scored at least one point, with four of them scoring at least five points.
Junior Tara Whiteside led all Sonoma State scorers with 15 points and added four rebounds and four steals. Forward Shannon Taylor and guard Lacey Campbell both had 11 points and 5 rebounds for Sonoma State.
The Tritons returned to action immediately as they face San Francisco State on Jan. 31, but results of that game were not available at press time. UCSD will now be heading out on the road to face San Francisco State on Feb. 6 and Sonoma State on Feb. 7.
