LA JOLLA, Calif. ? The 14th-ranked UC San Diego women's basketball team clinched at least a share of the CCAA title with its 82-68 victory over visiting CSU Monterey Bay on Friday night in RIMAC Arena. With the win the Tritons improve to 22-4 overall and 18-3 in league play while dropping the Otters to 7-19 overall and 6-15 in conference action.
Leora Juster led four UCSD players in double figures, pouring in 24 points on 10-for-19 shooting. She also had six boards and five assists while Michelle Osier added a double-double, scoring 19 points while grabbing 11 rebounds to go along with her five steals. Meaghan Noud scored 15 points while Hillary Hansen added 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Dana Andrews led CSUMB with 15 points while Britnea Moore dropped in 13. Denisha Profit scored eight points while pulling down a team-high nine rebounds.
As a team the Tritons shot 43.5% from the floor, making 27 of 62 shots while limiting the Otters to only 39.1% (25-for-64) shooting on the night. CSUMB attempted 28 3-pointers on the night, making only six. Conversely, UCSD made two of its 10 attempts.
The difference in the contest came at the foul line as the Tritons went 26-for-35 from the charity stripe. CSUMB took only 16 foul shots on the night, making 12. The Otters committed 23 fouls on the night while the Tritons were whistled for 14.
UCSD maintains its one game lead on Chico State, who defeated Humboldt State at home on Thursday night. The Tritons can clinch the league title on Saturday night with a victory over the visiting Gators of San Francisco State. Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside RIMAC Arena.
A win on Saturday would not only give UCSD its first-ever league title in women's basketball, but give the Tritons the inside edge for hosting the NCAA D-II Women's Basketball West Regional on March 9-12. The official announcement of the field of 64 will come on Sunday night at 8 p.m.
