After winning its past seven games, the No. 23 UCSD women’s basketball team found mixed results on its home court this past weekend. The Tritons had their winning streak snapped after suffering a shocking 60-47 loss to Cal State San Bernardino on Jan. 19. However, the team bounced back with a convincing 78-54 win against Cal Poly Pomona on Jan. 20.
Sophomore forward Michelle Osier and her Triton team shined in home-court glory as they took down Cal Poly Pomona 78-54. The win helped to push UCSD’s overall record to 11-3.
The Tritons wasted no time getting back on track and came out strong in the first half against Cal Poly Pomona. After the teams were tied at 4-4 early in the contest, UCSD reeled off 15 straight points to create a sizeable lead. The Triton defense was quick and effective, forcing turnovers and bad shots, and held the Broncos scoreless for nearly 10 minutes.
“”We came back and made a statement in this game,”” sophomore forward Michelle Osier said. “”We knew that if we didn’t win, we’d be in big trouble.””
UCSD managed to stay ahead of the Broncos for the rest of the game, largely because of strong games from the seniors: guard Leora Juster, point guard Kacie Kostlan and forward Hillary Hansen. Juster finished the game with 31 points, and Hansen finished with 20 points. Kostlan’s nine assists were crucial to the win as UCSD’s overall ball movement helped open up shots and keep the game out of reach for Cal Poly Pomona.
Senior guard Leora Juster surpassed the 30-point mark for her fifth time this season, scoring 31 in the victory over Cal Poly Pomona to rebound from the loss to Cal State San Bernardino.
Sophomore center Alexis Gaskin and freshman forward Erin Noonan came off a bench that has been strong for UCSD all season and provided quality minutes for the Tritons.
“”The players off the bench not only show potential, they also prove themselves every game,”” Juster said. “”For a long season, they’re stepping up and it’s great.””
Overall, the Tritons played well on both sides of the ball to bounce back and add a solid victory to their already impressive season resume.
“”We played like we normally do – we played well,”” Osier said.
The Tritons did not play like they normally do, however, in allowing Cal State San Bernardino to upset the favored home team 60-47. The Tritons kept it close against the Coyotes for much of the first half, more due to poor shooting by the Coyotes than strong play from UCSD. With both teams struggling with their shots, the game remained within reach for the Tritons. However, Cal State San Bernardino closed out the first half on an 11-point run, leaving UCSD in a 28-16 hole at halftime.
The shooting troubles persisted in the second half, and the Tritons ended the night making just 18 of their 58 shot attempts from the field. Juster, UCSD’s leading scorer, was held to just seven points, and the Tritons were hindered by 25 percent shooting from the field in the first half of the game. Overall, the game was an aberration in the Tritons’ impressive season.
“”I don’t think we could have played much worse,”” Juster said. “”There’s not really any explanation for it.””
Juster hopes that the loss to Cal State San Bernardino provides motivation for the team to play better for the rest of the season.
“”The game was an eye opener,”” Juster said. “”It’s a long season and for this to happen now, I hope it gives us momentum to come out and give it everything we’ve got.””
UCSD hopes to take this momentum on the road and into its next two games. The Tritons will face San Francisco State on Jan. 26 and Cal State Monterey Bay on Jan. 27.
Both teams hold lower California Collegiate Athletic Association standings than the UCSD team, creating an optimism for victories in both games for the Tritons.
“”If we play like we should play and like we played [against Cal Poly Pomona], we should do all right,”” Osier said.
