LA JOLLA, Calif. - After being down by three points at halftime, the UC San Diego women's basketball team outscored No. 25 Azusa Pacific 47-39 in the second half to come away with a 76-71 victory on the final day of the Thanksgiving Classic Saturday at RIMAC Arena.
With the win, the Tritons are now 5-1 overall. The Cougars drop to a 6-2 record.
Senior forward Farrah Shokoor, named the tourney's MVP, led the way for UCSD, recording her third consecutive double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds. She also added a game-high five assists. Senior guard Jamie Katuna scored a team-best 20 points. Junior forward Cassie MacLeod and sophomore guard Taylor Tanita pitched in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Katuna was also named to the all-tournament team.
Kelly Hardeman paced APU with 18 points and a game-best 18 rebounds.
The Cougars ended the first quarter up by seven, 19-12, after Cydnie Jones was able to answer Shokoor's layup just seven seconds prior with a long-range bomb right before the buzzer.
APU grabbed its biggest lead, 22-12, after Hardeman hit a three-pointer to start the second period. The Tritons fought back and evened the score, 27-27, after a mid-range jumper from Tanita. From there, Miriam Zabinsky hit a trey and two free throws for the Cougars as UCSD trailed, 32-29, at halftime.
The Tritons overtook APU in the third frame, outscoring the Cougars 28-18, with 10 points coming from Katuna. Tied, 43-43, in the middle of the period, UCSD went on a 14-7 run to end the quarter with a 57-50 lead.
The Tritons grabbed their largest advantage of the game, 59-50, after a Katuna layup began the final period. APU closed the margin to one with 4:25 remaining, but UCSD was able to score on key offensive possessions and make critical free throws to take the game by five.
In the first game of the day, Cal State San Bernardino defeated Dominican, 70-68. Chelsea Austin led the Coyotes with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tritons will hit the road as they travel to Rohnert Park on Wednesday, Nov. 2, to face Sonoma State in a conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Thanksgiving Classic Results
Friday, Nov. 27
Azusa Pacific 64, Cal State San Bernardino 62
UC San Diego 95, Dominican 72
Saturday, Nov. 28
Cal State San Bernardino 70, Dominican 68
UC San Diego 76, Azusa Pacific 71
All-Tournament Team
Kelly Hardeman, Jr., F, Azusa Pacific
Chelsea Barnes, Sr., G, Cal State San Bernardino
Allyssa Weatherd, Jr., F, Dominican
Jamie Katuna, Sr., G, UC San Diego
Farrah Shokoor, Sr., F, UC San Diego
Most Valuable Player
Farrah Shokoor, Sr., F, UC San Diego
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