LA JOLLA, Calif. - Adam Klie recorded a double-double and Hunter Walker finished with a game-high 17 points as the UC San Diego men's basketball team defeated league opponent Cal State East Bay, 65-54, Friday on Spirit Night in front of 3,881 loud fans at RIMAC Arena.
With seven victories in its last eight games, UCSD is now 11-6 overall and 9-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). CSUEB, which suffered its sixth consecutive loss Friday, fell to 4-15 and 2-11.
Klie totaled 12 points to go along with a career-best 11 rebounds. The sophomore guard from Alaska also added an assist and a block.
For Walker, it was his second straight game with 17 points. The junior guard made nine of 10 free throws and also had four rebounds and a pair of assists.
Drew Dyer netted 10 points for the Tritons, while Zach McMillan had seven boards and two blocks.
UC San Diego, which led 22-21 at halftime, shot just 33 percent (8-24) in the first half, but caught fire in the second stanza, draining 50 percent (11-22) of its attempts. The Tritons were 20-for-27 from the free throw line.
Jacari Whitfield scored 14 points and Paramvir Singh had 10 for the Pioneers, who mustered only a 35 percent (17-49) shooting mark for the night. Kyle Frakes hauled in five rebounds for East Bay.
With 3:10 left in the first half, Aleks Lipovic hit a three-pointer to give the Tritons a 20-18 advantage. UCSD led for the rest of the game.
It was the fourth-largest crowd ever to watch a men's basketball game at RIMAC Arena.
UC San Diego remained in fourth place in the CCAA with the victory. Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State all won Friday as well to stay atop the league standings at 10-3.
UCSD hosts Cal State Monterey Bay (9-10, 5-8 CCAA) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Otters lost, 66-59, at Cal Poly Pomona Friday.
As part of Staff Appreciation Night, all UC San Diego staff members receive two free tickets to Saturday's game.
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