MONMOUTH, Ore. - In a rematch between last season's NCAA West Region finalists, the University of California San Diego men's basketball team defeated Western Oregon, 75-63, Saturday in the final game of the DoubleTree D2 Shootout at WOU's New PE Building.
UC San Diego won its fifth-consecutive game to stay unbeaten on the young season, while WOU fell to 2-2. Both teams received votes in the NABC's preseason national poll. In the Nov. 15 D2SIDA national media poll, UCSD ranks 15th and Western Oregon owns the 20th spot.
The Tritons, who led for most of the game, shot 49 percent (23-47) and made 23 of 25 free throws. They also held a 32-25 advantage in rebounds.
"I was really pleased with our performance tonight," said UCSD head coach Eric Olen. "We had terrific energy and focus from start to finish. It was a great way to end a road trip."
Sophomore guard Christian Oshita paced UC San Diego with 16 points and a game co-high seven rebounds. Senior guard Adam Klie finished with 12 points, seven boards, and six assists. Sophomore forward Eric Patton and junior guard Joshua Brooks each contributed nine points, with Patton hauling in six boards as well.
The first half of the opening 20 minutes was competitive with four lead changes. However, UCSD took over when, trailing 19-17 at the 10:39 mark, junior guard Anthony Ballestero drilled a three-pointer to ignite a 13-0 run that had UC San Diego in front, 30-19, with just under eight minutes until the intermission. The Tritons led by 10, 41-31, at halftime.
In the second half, UCSD led by 15 on four occasions, the last coming with 4:15 remaining when Brooks made an and-one to bring the score to 69-54. The Wolves cut their deficit to 10 with a minute left, but would get no closer.
Yanick Kulich produced a game-high 19 points and seven rebounds for Western Oregon. Demetrius Trammell added 11 points. WOU's bench scored 40 points.
The two squads met in the championship game of the 2016 West Regional, with the Wolves holding on for a 60-55 victory.
UCSD went 2-0 at the D2 Shootout as it downed Concordia (Ore.), 66-57, Friday.
In the middle of a four-game road swing, UC San Diego plays at No. 9 California Baptist on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m.
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