LA JOLLA, Calif. - Jeff Van Dyke (Carlsbad/La Costa Canyon HS) netted a game-high 16 points as the UC San Diego men's basketball team won its sixth straight game Friday, trouncing Cal State San Bernardino, 74-52, at RIMAC Arena.
With its sixth consecutive victory, UCSD improved to 10-5 overall and 8-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Tritons are now tied with Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State for first place in the conference.
The win streak ties the team's longest since the program moved to NCAA Division II status for the 2000-01 season.
Van Dyke was 6-for-9 from the field, which included four three-pointers. He also added two rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes on the floor.
Also hitting double figures in points for the Tritons were Hunter Walker (13) and Aleks Lipovic (11). Zach McMillan had seven rebounds.
UCSD made 53 percent (28-53) of its shots on the night, including 59 percent (17-29) in the second half. The Triton bench accounted for 31 points.
For the Coyotes, Isaiah Morton had 11 points and Tevin Harris finished with 10. Taylor Statham grabbed seven rebounds and Everett Turner had four steals.
San Bernardino made just 35 percent (17-48) of its shots.
Trailing by one, 16-15, at the 6:53 mark of the first half, Lipovic hit a three to commence a 7-0 Triton run that was enough to keep them in front the rest of the way.
UC San Diego led 35-23 at halftime. A free throw by Brett Oosdyke with 31 seconds remaining put the Tritons up by 25 points, 74-49, their largest advantage of the game.
CSUSB (6-8, 6-5) had won the previous 12 meetings, with UCSD's last victory coming in 2009.
The Tritons host Humboldt State (11-6, 5-6) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Lumberjacks were edged, 81-79, in double overtime at Cal Poly Pomona Friday.
In honor of Siblings Weekend, any sibling of a UC San Diego student will be admitted free of charge to Saturday's game.
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