LA JOLLA, Calif. -The 13th-ranked UC San Diego women's water polo team used a strong second-half to defeat Colorado State 9-2 on Thursday night in Canyonview Pool in front of 109 fans.  The Rams and Tritons battled to a 1-1 draw at haltime.  Nicole Hermann and Michelle Perkins picked up the offense in the third quarter, combinding for four scores in the first five minutes of the third period.  Perkins finished the night with four goals and Hermann had two.  Nicole Afflerback, Natalie Hockett and Bridgette Bugay also scored for UCSD.  The Tritons improve to 12-8 on the season.

In the first quarter, Perkins opened up the scoring with a goal at the 2:08 mark.  CSU tied it on a score by Annie Quinn.

After a scoreless second quarter, UCSD's Hermann scored back-to-back goals at 5:40 and 4:50.  Perkins followed with two of her own at 3:32 and 2:40 as the Tritons led 5-2.  CSU closed to 5-2 on a score by Laurien White.  Afflerback scored before the end of the period as the Tritons led 6-2.

Perkins (5:22), Hockett (3:59) and Bugay (1:30) scored as the Tritons shut out the Rams in the final quarter to win 9-2.

UCSD is back in action tomorrow night against WWPA power Loyola Marymount.  The game is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. in RIMAC Arena.