AZUSA, Calif. – The UC San Diego women's basketball team shot 50.8 percent (32-63) from the floor and 47.1 percent (8-17) from behind the arc to defeat Western Washington, 79-56, in a non-conference matchup at the West Region Crossover Classic, hosted by Azusa Pacific, Saturday at Felix Event Center. The Tritons limited the Vikings to a 38.1 percent (24-63) field goal percentage.
With the win, UCSD improves to 3-1 overall in its 2015 campaign. WWU drops to 1-3.
Senior forward Farrah Shokoor led the Tritons with her first double-double of the season with 18 points, a game-high 12 rebounds and five assists. Senior guard Jamie Katuna had 15 points and also had five dimes herself. Junior guard Beth Mounier recorded 13 points and three takeaways and sophomore guard Taylor Tanita pitched in 10 to go along with four assists.
Kayla Bernsen paced the Vikings with a game-best 22 points.
UCSD hit three treys, two from Mounier and one from Tanita, in the opening quarter to take a 20-8 lead over WWU. With nine seconds left in the period, the Vikings' Kiana Gandy was able to hit a triple to cut the margin to nine heading into the second frame.
WWU cut the margin to three after the Tritons allowed 22 points in the second quarter. UCSD led 36-33 at halftime.
The Tritons began the third period with an 11-4 run and started to run away with the game. UCSD closed out the quarter with another run, this time 7-0, to build a 17-point cushion heading into the final frame.
The Tritons nabbed their biggest lead of the game, 70-44, after outscoring the Vikings 11-2 to begin the final quarter. The defense clamped down the rest of the way as the Tritons earned a 23-point victory.
“We're very excited about tonight's win,” said head coach Heidi VanDerveer. “Farrah Shokoor and Jamie Katuna both set the pace for our team. Taylor Tanita, our point guard, did a great job of leading us.”
UCSD will host its annual Thanksgiving Classic, Nov. 27-28 at RIMAC Arena. The Tritons will play Dominican on Friday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. and Azusa Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 3 p.m.
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