CHICO, Calif. - The seventh-ranked UC San Diego women's basketball team suffered its second defeat of the season on Saturday, falling to fourth place Chico State, 77-67 at Acker Gymnasium. Melissa Richardson scored a career-high 26 points to pace the Wildcats, while
Chelsea Carlisle finished with 18 and
Tiffany Hunter tallied 17 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort for the Tritons.
Chico State shot 50% from the field in the opening half and led by as many as 13 points to become just the second team to knock off UCSD in 2009-10. The Wildcats have won four in a row and seven of their last eight to improve to 15-8 overall and 12-6 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
UCSD, which lost for the first time since dropping an 84-80 decision at Humboldt State on January 21, falls to 20-2 overall and 15-2 in the CCAA. The Tritons had won six straight entering Saturday's game.
Richardson finished 9-of-18 from the floor and drained four threes to lead the Wildcat assault. She also finished with six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Natasha Smith had a big game as well, racking up 19 points, seven boards, and six assists, while Synchro Bull finished with 12 points and five caroms.
Carlisle led three players in double figures for UCSD, converting just 5-of-17 shots overall and 4-of-12 from the three-point line. The CCAA's leading scorer also chipped in with two rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Hunter reached double figures for the sixth time in eight games, but she struggled from the floor as well, connecting on just 5-of-14 attempts.
Annette Ilg added 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds.
Chico State led by as many as 11 points in the first half, taking a 33-22 advantage of a Smith jumper with two and a half minutes remaining in the period. Carlisle then hit back-to-back triples to ignite a 10-2 UCSD run over the next 1:44 and the Tritons closed to within three, 35-32.
Richardson followed with her third three of the half to give the Wildcats a six-point cushion at the break.
UCSD fought back in the opening minutes of the second, taking a 44-42 lead on a three by Daisy Feder with 14:37 remaining. Chico held a 53-52 advantage five minutes later when Taylor Lydon connected from outside and Bull scored consecutive baskets to make it 60-52 with 8:24 left to play.
The Tritons would close to within four (65-61) on a layup by Hunter with four minutes left, but the Wildcats outscored UCSD 12-6 to end the game and earn a split in the season series.
One night after shooting a season-high 60% in a convincing 83-60 victory at Cal State Stanislaus, the Tritons finished at just over 32% (20-62) shooting against the Wildcats. Chico State shot 41% for the game, dropping 28-of-69. The Wildcats held a 51-39 advantage on the boards and outscored UCSD 30-18 in the paint.
The Tritons won't have to wait long to get back on the court as Cal State East Bay pays a visit to RIMAC Arena on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
