LA JOLLA, Calif. - The UC San Diego men's basketball team could not recover from a poor first half and fell by a score of 53-48 to league opponent Cal State Stanislaus Friday night at RIMAC Arena.

With its third straight loss, UCSD dropped to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Stanislaus, the reigning CCAA Tournament champion, improved to 7-3 and 4-1.

The Tritons scored just 14 points in the opening half, making only four of their 22 shots, 18.2 percent. They went 0-for-8 from behind the three-point line. The Warriors netted 20 points in the first stanza and shot 31.8 percent (7-for-22).

Both teams improved dramatically in the second half, with UC San Diego shooting 46.2 percent (12-for-26) and Cal State Stanislaus hitting at a 47.8 percent clip (11-for-23).

Hunter Walker claimed nearly half of UCSD's point total, finishing with a game-high 21 points. He also added five rebounds, a block and a steal. Zach McMillan had a team-high seven rebounds and Grant Jackson led all players with five assists.

For CSUS, Wes Bartole led the way, recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. Christian Bayne had 14 points and Chris Read totaled 11.

The visitors led for the last 15 minutes of the first half. With 7:32 left in the game, a layup by Walker gave UCSD its second and final lead of the night, 34-33. At the 6:01 mark with the score tied at 37-37, Bayne hit a three to put the Warriors up for good.

UCSD hosts Chico State (7-3, 4-1) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats edged Cal Poly Pomona, 51-50, Friday on the road.

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