SAN DIEGO - A strong second half wasn't enough as the University of California San Diego men's basketball team dropped a 76-63 exhibition game against San Diego State Thursday night at a sold out Viejas Arena.
UC San Diego out-scored SDSU by 10 points, 33-23, in the second frame. For the game, the Tritons held advantages in rebounds (30-28), shooting percentage (.473-.453) and assists (17-13).
However, UCSD turned the ball over 22 times on the night, which led to 28 points for the Aztecs. Thirteen of the turnovers came in the first half. Foul trouble also plagued the Tritons as San Diego State went 21-for-32 from the free throw line while UC San Diego was 5-for-6.
Down by 26 points early in the second half, UCSD kept itself in the game by making five of its 10 three-point attempts in the stanza after going just 1-for-8 in the first half.
San Diego State, which made 60.7 percent of its shots in the opening half, dropped all the way down to 28 percent in the second. After draining five of nine threes in the first, the Aztecs made just two of 10 in the second.
The Tritons were led by first-year forward Michael Shoemaker, who finished with 16 points. The junior transfer was 7-for-9 from the floor and also added four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Sophomore guard Christian Oshita, also a transfer, had nine points, while senior guard Adam Klie totaled six points, five rebounds and four assists.
All 13 of UC San Diego's available players saw the floor Thursday night. Scott Everman, Joshua Brooks and Mikey Howell join Shoemaker and Oshita as players in their first season with the Tritons.
Montaqu Gill-Caesar racked up 14 of his game-high 18 points in the first half for SDSU. Three other Aztecs hit double-figure point totals including Zylan Cheatham (15), Trey Kell (12) and Jeremy Hemsley (11). Kell also contributed seven boards, five assists and four steals, all game-highs.
It was the 11th meeting between UCSD and SDSU and the Aztecs have won all of them. The 13-point margin made for the closest game in the series history. Prior to tonight's tilt, the tightest spread was 16 points when San Diego State took a 76-60 win on Nov. 17, 2007.
It was the 23rd consecutive exhibition victory for San Diego State.
UC San Diego opens its regular season next week when it hosts the CCAA/PacWest Challenge, Nov. 11-12 at RIMAC Arena. Joining the Tritons will be Azusa Pacific, Cal Poly Pomona and Dixie State.
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