POMONA, Calif. - The 22nd-ranked University of California San Diego men's basketball team opened its California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) season Tuesday in dramatic fashion, erasing a large deficit and holding on to win, 64-62, at Cal Poly Pomona.
A game that saw Cal Poly Pomona leading by as many as 19 points ended up coming down to the final ticks.
Up 63-62 with five seconds left in the game, UC San Diego's Christian Oshita was fouled and made one of two free throws. On its ensuing possession, Cal Poly Pomona was able to get a forced three-point attempt off in time, but it hit the back of the iron and didn't fall.
UCSD improved to 6-1 with the victory, while CPP fell to 2-3. It was the first CCAA game of the year for both squads.
Sophomore center Chris Hansen recorded his sixth career double-double for the Tritons with 24 points and 10 rebounds, both game-highs. He was 8-for-13 from the field and made all eight of his free throws. His point total was three short of his career best and the 10 boards were one off his career high.
UCSD senior guard Adam Klie established a new career high with eight assists to go along with 10 rebounds. Junior guard Anthony Ballestero totaled 10 points and senior guard Koree Cox made three three-pointers.
The Tritons shot just 19 percent (5-27) in the opening half, but improved to 47 percent (14-30) in the second frame. They made only two of 14 three-point shots in the first, but connected on four of seven in the second.
The UC San Diego bench accounted for 29 points.
"It was a rough start for us tonight, we had a hard time scoring and dug ourselves a big hole," said UCSD head coach Eric Olen. "I thought we showed a lot of resiliency to fight back. I'm proud of the way we responded."
The Broncos led by 19 points, 32-13, with 3:20 left in the opening half and were up 33-21 at the intermission. However, the Tritons came out strong in the second half, scoring the first seven points. With 12:49 remaining, they took their first lead of the game, 37-36, on a basket by Oshita.
At the 10:10 mark, Will Christmas hit a three to put CPP up, 40-39, but Ballestero answered with a trey and UCSD would stay in front the rest of the way.
Jordan Ogundiran led the Broncos with 23 points and 10 boards. Jeremy Dennis finished with 12 points and Christmas had 10.
UC San Diego hosts 17th-ranked Chico State (6-1) Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
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