The UCSD men’s and women’s basketball teams completed a weekend set of games against CSU Bakersfield and CSU Stanislaus.
On Friday evening, the women’s team took the court first, taking on CSUB. The Roadrunners took an early lead at 13-8, but the Tritons battled their way to a 34-30 advantage by halftime. Throughout the second half, UCSD hung on to its lead, overtaking the Roadrunners by 18 points, making the score 54-36. Bakersfield fought back to cut the deficit to two points, 64-62, with less than two minutes remaining, but that was the closest it could get to the Tritons again. Ashley led UCSD in scoring and rebounds with 18 points and nine boards, shooting 8-10 from the field.
Following the women’s game, the UCSD men’s team took its turn against the Roadrunners. The Tritons trailed throughout the first half, but came as close as one point at 26-25. CSUB took a 37-29 lead into halftime and held off the Tritons the rest of the way. Sam Higgins led all scorers with 22 points and shot 7-8 from the field.
Hoping to complete the weekend with two wins, the UCSD women went up against CSU Stanislaus. In the first half it looked as though the Tritons were on their way to a win, building a 39-31 halftime lead. UCSD used the perimeter shooting of guard Maya Fok, who hit four three-pointers. However, CSU Stanislaus came out strong in the second half, outscoring UCSD 42-22 for the half. With the loss the Tritons fell to 7-4 overall, and 3-3 in CCAA.
In the following game, the UCSD men fell to CSU Stanislaus, 73-64. CSU Stanislaus used eight consecutive free throws in the final minute to complete the victory. Higgins again had a strong performance for UCSD (2-9, 1-5) and led the team in scoring with 21 points.
The UCSD men’s assistant coach Dave Dillon praised Higgins play over the two games.
“”He did a wonderful job over the weekend and shot the ball very well,”” Dillon said.
The next two games, both away, for the UCSD men will be against CSU San Bernadino and Cal Poly Pomona. Although both teams are ranked in the top 25, Dillon said that the Tritons “”will try their best”” to win on the road.
