LA JOLLA, Calif. - Hot shooting, strong rebounding and a record crowd were the order of the night as the 17th-ranked UC San Diego men's basketball team defeated league rival Cal State Dominguez Hills by a score of 74-51 Friday at RIMAC Arena.
UCSD improved to 14-3 overall and 9-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAA), tied with Chico State for first place. CSUDH dropped to 9-9 and 3-7.
The Tritons made 52.8 percent of their shots, draining 28 of 53 attempts. It was the 12th time this season that they have hit 50 percent or better from the field. UCSD also owned the boards, out-rebounding Dominguez Hills, 43-24.
Senior forward Drew Dyer paved the way for UC San Diego, finishing with a game-high 24 points. He was 8-for-13 overall and 6-for-9 from three-point land, equaling a career-best for threes made. Dyer also contributed five rebounds and three assists.
Junior guard Adam Klie also had a night, recording a double-double with 19 points and a game-best 10 rebounds. He was 9-for-12 shooting and had three assists, a block and a steal.
Sophomore guard George Buaku was part of UCSD's hot hand club as well, making four of his seven shots and winding up with 12 points to match a career-high.
The stellar performance by the Tritons was in front of 3,924 loud and energetic Spirit Night fans, a school record for a men's basketball game at RIMAC Arena. The previous high was 3,906 in 2008.
UC San Diego never trailed in the game. With 13:38 left in the first half, a Klie layup put the Tritons up 13-11 and they led the rest of the way. Buaku made a layup with just over a minute left in the game to account for the final score. The 23-point spread was the largest of the game for UCSD.
The Toros, which shot just 32.7 percent (16-49) overall, were led by Darius Butler's 16 points. Justin Sadler added 14 points and Vincent Golson had 12. CSUDH made only four of its 20 three-point attempts.
It was the second win for UC San Diego over Cal State Dominguez Hills this season as the Tritons earned a 73-60 victory in Carson on Dec. 17.
Congratulations to Roosevelt College for winning its first Spirit Night trophy since 2013.
The Tritons host Cal State L.A. (3-14, 2-8) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Golden Eagles lost at Cal State San Bernardino, 58-56, Friday.
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