SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. ?
The UC San Diego women's basketball team made it 8-for-8 in CCAA play
and won its eighth consecutive game overall on Saturday, defeating San
Francisco State 63-48 in a conference matchup at SFSU's Main Gymnasium.
Michelle Osier finished with eight points and 10 rebounds, becoming the
school's all-time career rebounding leader in the process.
After wrapping up their road trip with a perfect
4-0 record, the Tritons have now won 15 of 17 games in 2008-09 and have
not lost since falling to St. Mary's University on December 19. UCSD
has won 14 of its last 16 games in conference play, dating back to last
season.
San Francisco State, the latest victim, falls to 8-7 overall and 2-6 in the CCAA.
The Tritons will put their season-long winning
streak on the line when they come home to face Cal State Stanislaus and
Chico State next weekend.
Osier was held to under 10 points for just the
second time this season, but on this night it was all about the boards.
The senior forward entered Saturday's game just seven rebounds shy of
passing Mary Egan's career total of 1,038, a record that has been on
the books since 1982. Osier collected rebound number 1,039 on a
defensive board 3:46 into the second half to become UCSD's career
leader.
Erin Noonan led the Tritons with 12 points,
hitting 4-of-7 shots from the field, including 3-of-5 from behind the
three-point line. She also finished with six rebounds, two assists, and
two blocks, which tied her career mark.
Freshman
Chelsea Carlisle turned in another solid
outing off the bench, scoring 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting to go with a
career best eight boards, and five assists.
Annette Ilg finished with
eight points, five helpers, and two steals.
After the Gators took an 11-5 lead on a tip-in by
Dominique Hunter at the 12:07 mark, UCSD scored 14 unanswered points
over the next six minutes to turn the early deficit into a 19-11
advantage. Desiree Butler finally put an end to the drought for SFSU,
but the Tritons closed the period on a 15-5 spurt to lead 34-18 at the
break.
UCSD led by as many as 30 points in the second half (61-31) and never trailed by less than 15 the rest of the way.
The Tritons shot 39% (26-67) for the game and 41%
in the decisive first half, hitting 13-of-34 shots. The Gators shot
just 32%, including 8-of-31, 26% in the opening period.
UCSD finished with 18 assists and 12 steals, but San Francisco State held a 51-45 edge on the glass.
Butler scored 14 points to lead the Gators, while Donisha Tate chipped in with eight.
Tipoff for the Tritons' bout with the Warriors is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday at RIMAC Arena.
