After a rocky 1-3 start to its season, UC San Diego women’s basketball kicked off the new year with a 75-54 victory against Cal Poly on Jan. 1. Since then, the Tritons kept up the momentum, winning all five of their conference matches to start Big West play. The UCSD Guardian’s women’s basketball beat writers Ruben Perez and Isaiah Benitez give their thoughts on the team’s season so far and how the Tritons will perform as conference play intensifies.
How has the season gone so far?
Ruben Perez: With the loss of key players like guard Sumayah Sugapong and forward Kayanna Spriggs, the Tritons struggled early in the season. Now, after half a season of play, the team has hit its stride. The chemistry among the players is there and most evident on defense. UC San Diego has allowed just 57.6 points on average in its last 10 games and ranks third in points allowed in the Big West. As long as the Tritons continue to excel on defense, they are a team that no one wants to play.
Isaiah Benitez: The Tritons have steadily improved throughout the season, going 9-2 since their 1-3 start. A central focus this offseason was rebuilding a strong lineup after losing Sugapong to the transfer portal. The new system proved difficult to pick up as the Tritons began games offensively stagnant, averaging just 13.5 points in the first quarter through its opening four games. Recently, however, the Tritons are starting games hot, now averaging 17.8 points in the first quarter. These first-quarter points set the tone in each game, building momentum for the Tritons and pressuring their opponents to keep up, and can prove to be the x-factor for UCSD as they continue conference play..
Which player stands out the most?
RP: Junior center Erin Condron has elevated herself as one of UCSD’s top players. Her ability to make contested shots in the paint helps her average 14.5 points per game — an improvement from her 8.1 average last year — and is the reason for her emergence as one of UCSD’s best scorers. Condron also regularly shows off her defensive skills, averaging 7.9 rebounds a game and 1.3 blocks per game. Her strength across the board makes her UCSD’s greatest weapon right now.
IB: Redshirt junior guard Rosa Smith has made waves throughout the first half of the season. Smith averages 12.5 points per game — the second most on the team — shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three. Smith’s efficiency has helped the Tritons move past their sluggish start to the season, and she’s shown great flashes of talent to help lead this team into its following games.
Where does UCSD need to improve?
RP: UCSD has to work on its shooting from the free-throw line and beyond the arc. As a team, the Tritons are 66.7% at the line, putting UCSD in the bottom half of the Big West in free-throw percentage. The Tritons are also 30.7% from deep, putting them in the middle of conference rankings. As the Tritons navigate Big West play, these shots will have to start falling in order to ease the pressure on defense.
IB: The Tritons must improve on their rebounding. The team is 10th in the Big West for total rebounds on the season, averaging only 34.9 per game, and its -6.9 rebounding margin puts them at dead last in the Big West. Losing out on these rebounds takes key possessions away from the Tritons and gives their opponents more opportunities to score. Snagging rebounds and maximizing possessions is the first step that the Tritons can take to help fix their aforementioned offensive issues.
Where will UCSD finish in the Big West this season?
RP: With an exceptional defense and a few offensive adjustments, UCSD should surpass its 13-7 conference record from last year. Currently sitting third in Big West standings, the Tritons have proven that it’s still a team that can compete in the conference despite new faces. However, with matches against challenging opponents like UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara ahead — both of whom average more points per game and fewer points allowed — UCSD is unlikely to surpass its opponents’ game. UCSD will likely finish third in the conference.
IB: UCSD undoubtedly has the potential to place better than it did last season. In January 2025, the Tritons were 6-9 — a far cry from their 10-5 record today. The Tritons are currently undefeated against Big West opponents and ranked third in league standings. Hoping UCSD sustains its ongoing improvement, I predict that the Tritons will finish first in the conference. It’s not hard to imagine this team going on another deep postseason run, especially with how it has kicked off this new year.
