The Tritons concluded their six-game losing streak against San Francisco State, 80-70, with an inspired second half of basketball at RIMAC Arena on Jan. 31.
Guardian
UCSD once again got off to a sluggish start in the first half, going down by as many as nine points. The Tritons were able to hang around by going 8-for-9 from the foul line and hitting some three-point baskets, cutting the Gators’ lead down to 32-38 at the half.
UCSD only shot 30 percent from the field in the half to San Francisco State’s blistering 69.6 percent. At the half, head coach Greg Lanthier did not feel that the Gators’ hot shooting would continue.
“”They were 16-for-23 from the floor,”” Lanthier said. “”We felt that they would not continue to shoot like that in the second half and that we would come back.””
In the second half, the Tritons looked like a completely different team, outscoring the Gators 48-32. Junior forward Jesse Boyd came out with three quick points, and a three-pointer by sophomore guard Matthew Sweany and a foul shot gave the Tritons the lead at 41-39. The game remained close at 56-52 at the 11-minute mark, but then UCSD made its run. Junior guard Brandon Francis hit a big three-pointer, and Boyd followed with a jumper. With 5:11 on the clock, a three-point shot by Sweany virtually put the game out of reach for San Francisco State at 70-57. Late free-throws by Boyd sealed the win for the Tritons.
“”Any win is a big win, losing streak or not”” Lanthier said.
Sweany’s incredible night led the Tritons as he poured in 25 points and hit 5-for-9 from downtown. Also contributing to the win was Boyd with 15 points, freshman guard Adam Reinking with 12 points and Francis with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Chris Taberez and Ryan Cleaves dropped 17 and 16 points, respectively, to lead San Francisco State.
“”He is a streaky shooter,”” Lanthier said of Sweany. “”When he gets it going he is hard to stop.””
The win was huge for the Tritons, moving them to 5-12 overall and a 5-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The win draws UCSD even with San Francisco State at sixth place.
The Tritons now travel this week to San Francisco State and then to Sonoma State on Feb. 7 to face the same two teams that they played this past weekend at RIMAC Arena. On the Jan. 30 Spirit Night, UCSD got off to a sluggish start against the Seawolves and eventually fell, 74-65.
This upcoming weekend, the Tritons will have a chance to rebound against Sonoma State on the road.
“”We play well on the road and we are looking to get it done this week,”” Lanthier said.
