RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Hunter Walker had a game-high 18 points but the UC San Diego men's basketball team suffered a 76-70 loss at 17th-ranked California Baptist Friday at Van Dyne Gym.
UCSD (4-3) tied the game with just over four minutes remaining on two free throws by Drew Dyer, but CBU (7-1) proceeded to go on a seven-point run and held a lead the rest of the way.
"We are disappointed that we weren't able to make enough plays to pull this one out," said UCSD head coach Eric Olen. "However, I'm proud of our effort and confident that if we continue to improve, we will win our share moving forward."
Walker was 7-for-12 from the field, also adding five rebounds, an assist and a steal. Three other Tritons finished with 10 or more points including Dyer (16), Adam Klie (14) and Aleks Lipovic (11). George Buaku, Dyer and Zach McMillan each had five rebounds as well and Klie had four assists.
The Lancers got 18 points from Gelaun Wheelwright, 12 of those coming on three-pointers. Taj Spencer was just behind with 17 points and Ryan Berg had 15. Jordan Giusti led all players with six rebounds.
The teams matched up well statistically. UCSD shot 48 percent (23-48) and CBU made 47 percent (24-51) of its attempts. The sides were dead even in rebounding, each with 27. They both made seven threes.
UC San Diego led by five (9-4) early on when Lipovic hit a three-pointer at the 17:25 mark. With the score tied, 22-22, with 8:47 left in the first half, a Wheelwright layup put California Baptist in front and they would maintain a lead until Dyer's free throws late in the second stanza.
The Lancers held a 40-31 advantage at halftime and led by as many as 10 points in the second half.
Friday's game was the first time the two teams had met since Dec. 16, 1999, when the Tritons took a 91-90 win in Riverside.
After nine consecutive road games to start the season, UCSD finally plays at home on Dec. 21 when it hosts Cal Poly Pomona at RIMAC Arena in a 4 p.m. tilt. The Tritons upset the Broncos, 69-66, on Nov. 22 in Pomona. CPP was ranked 19th nationally at the time.
#TritonsRising
