WOMEN’S BASKETBALL — The UCSD seniors finished their final season in style at their game against Humboldt State on Feb. 26, finally avenging the early season loss that had cut short their perfect 14-0 season start.

The Tritons turned in a crushing 86-51 victory over Humboldt State. Sophomore guard Chelsea Carlisle made 29 points and seven assists, while junior forward Tiffany Hunter added 13 points and seven rebounds.

The victory marked the last regular-season game for the Triton seniors — forward Erin Noonan, forward Kristen Cabral, guard Leilani Martin and guard Annette Ilg — who were honored before the game.

“It meant so much to beat Humboldt, because we got a second chance to show them what we’re made of,” Noonan said.

Thanks to the win, the Tritons clinched sole possession of their second consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association championship, having taken once step closer to the title with a win over Sonoma State on Feb. 24.

“It was a fantastic night last night for UCSD women’s basketball,” head coach Charity Elliott said. “Not only did we avenge the loss earlier in the year to Humboldt, but we sent off our seniors in remarkable fashion.”

The Tritons started the game slowly, struggling with Humboldt’s full court pressure, falling behind 10-15 at the midpoint of the first half.

However, Carlisle woke up the Triton offense by scoring nine straight points in a 19-4 run. UCSD went on to outscore Humboldt 32-15 for the rest of the half, carrying a commanding 18-point lead into the break.

The Tritons opened the second half with a 21-9 run and went on to rout the Lumberjacks, extending their lead to as much as 37 points.

The loss dropped Humboldt to 16-10 overall and 14-8 in the CCAA. The Lumberjacks earned the fourth seed in the CCAA postseason tournament, and will play against Cal State Monterey Bay in the first round.

The Tritons walked onto the court Saturday night having already won a share of the title 68-52 against Sonoma State on Feb. 24. Carlisle once again led the way with 11 points and 8 assists, while 11 of the players racked up points for UCSD.

The Tritons never trailed, en route to a comfortable victory. The loss dropped Sonoma to 8-13 in league play and denied the Seawolves a chance to play in the postseason.

UCSD wrapped up the regular season with a 24-3 overall record, including 19-3 in conference play. With their conference title, the Tritons earned the top seed in the CCAA tournament, and will face No. 8 Cal State Dominguez Hills on Tuesday.

Noonan said the Tritons are wary of an upset, after falling in the first round of last year’s tournament with a tough loss to Cal State San Bernardino.

“I think these tournament games are more significant to the seniors because these are games we don’t get back, and there is no next time,” Noonan said. “We don’t get another year. It’s now or never for us, and we’re looking to make it happen.”

Of the four seniors, Noonan and Ilg have been regular starters for the Tritons, while Martin and Cabral have been frequent contributors from the bench. Coach Elliott had nothing but glowing praise for her team leaders, and said she is looking for the same consistency in postseason play.

“Our four seniors have given so much to this program,” Elliott said. “Noonan and Ilg have given the last four years to this team, and I can’t say enough about their commitment, work ethic and impact on this team. Leilani Martin and Kristen Cabral have made an incredible impact and contribution to this program in their two short years. They have bought into our system and have given their hearts and souls to make this team better.”

All four seniors played in every game this season, contributing an average of nearly 24 points per game.

“All four of them will be tremendously missed,” Elliott said. “It will be a sad day when we have to say good bye to them … so we are going to try to put that off for as long as possible.”

The Tritons will begin tournament play by hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills on March 2 at RIMAC arena, hitting the floor at 7 p.m.

Readers can contact Liam Rose at [email protected].