LA JOLLA, Calif. ? The UC San Diego men's basketball team saw its five game winning streak come to an end Saturday night, dropping a 63-51 decision to visiting Cal State Dominguez Hills at RIMAC Arena. The Tritons were limited to 37% shooting and scored just 51 points in their first California Collegiate Athletic Association loss of the season.
The Toros bounced back from an 89-84 defeat at Cal State L.A. on Wednesday to hand the Tritons their first loss on their home floor in 2008-09 and first defeat overall since November 29. CSUDH improves to 9-2 on the year and 3-1 in the CCAA, while UCSD falls to 6-4 overall and 3-1 against league foes. UCSD had won six of its last seven games since starting the season 0-2.
The Tritons struggled against the Toros' pressure all night long, committing a season-high 18 turnovers, compared to just eight miscues for the visitors. UCSD converted 17-of-46 shots in what became its lowest scoring output against a Division II opponent this season. The Tritons were held to just 40 points against San Diego State in their season-opener November 15.
UCSD trailed 20-19 at the half, but Dominguez was the hotter team coming out of the locker room and took a 35-25 advantage following two free throws from Michael Hernandez at the 13:30 mark. The Tritons chipped away at the deficit and pulled to within five (43-38) on a
Shane Poppen putback with 6:29 left to play, but Jamel Ward answered with a three on the other end and Hernandez scored off a steal to give the visitors a 10-point cushion with 5:35 left on the clock.
The Tritons could get no closer than seven the rest of the way. After a
Jordan Lawley triple brought UCSD to within 48-41, the Toros scored the next four points to put the game out of reach with 1:50 to play and went on to post the 12 point victory.
Kelvin Kim scored a game-high 14 points to pace the Tritons, while Lawley finished with 11, hitting both of his field goals from behind the three-point arc. Freshman forward
Christian Hatch finished 4-of-6 from the floor and scored nine points in 17 minutes off the bench.
Jerelle Smith scored 14 points to lead the Toros, while Hernandez added 12 points and a game-high six assists.
CSUDH shot 42% (18-43) for the game and recorded 14 assists on 18 field goals. The Toros outscored the Tritons 22-14 in the paint and were +12 at the free throw line, finishing 23-of-34 at the stripe, while UCSD converted 11-of-17 attempts.
The Tritons will look to bounce back on the road next weekend when they travel to Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona. UCSD will take on the Coyotes Friday, January 9, before facing the Broncos on Saturday.
