BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The 17th-ranked University of California San Diego women's basketball team fell to Western Washington by a final score of 84-65 to conclude the Crossover Classic, Saturday at Whatcom Community College Pavilion. After trailing by as much as 22, UC San Diego cut the margin to seven, but could not come away with baskets in the final moments of the game.
The Tritons suffer their second straight loss and are now 2-2. The Vikings improve to 3-1.
UCSD was led by junior forward Dalayna Sampton's 16 points, on 70 percent (7-10) shooting, and seven rebounds. Senior forward Cassie MacLeod had 15 points, four assists and two blocks. Junior guard Taylor Tanita dished out a game-high eight assists. Taylor Peacocke was WWU's leading scorer with a game-best 30 points.
The Tritons shot 39.1 percent (25-64) from the field compared to the Vikings' 46.3 percent (25-54). UCSD was outrebounded 39-30 and committed 30 personal fouls, though seven came with two minutes remaining trying to mount a comeback.
WWU led 19-15 at the end of the first as Peacocke took control early, scoring 11 of her 30 points in the opening period.
The Tritons got to within two, 21-19, after a layup from Sampton early in the second. The Vikings opened up to an 11-point lead later in the quarter, but freshman Sydney Sharp was able to nail a buzzer-beating trey as UCSD trailed 38-30 at halftime.
WWU started to pull away in the third quarter, outscoring the Tritons 24-14. The Vikings grabbed their biggest lead of the game, 60-38, on a jumper from Lexie Brand. The Tritons were down by 18 points, 62-44, going into the final period.
UCSD started the fourth quarter on a 8-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from senior guard Beth Mounier, to cut the margin to 62-54. WWU answered back with a 6-0 run of their own to lead by 14. The Tritons got as close as seven points, 68-61, thanks to a steal and layup from sophomore guard Joleen Yang. It would be the closest UCSD would get as it went 1-for-7 on field goal attempt and the Vikings made all 14 free throw attempts in the last tow minutes to account for the final score.
For her efforts, Sampton was named to the Crossover Classic All-Tournament Team averaging 12 points, on 76.9 percent (10-15), and 6.5 rebounds in two games.
The Tritons will host the UCSD Thanksgiving Classic for the seventh consecutive year. UCSD will play Saginaw Valley State on Friday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. and Azusa Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 3 p.m.
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