SAN FRANCISCO - Beth Mounier's 19 points and five rebounds spurred the University of California San Diego women's basketball team to a 65-55 victory against California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) rival San Francisco State on their home court Friday night.
UCSD climbs to 12-3 overall and 8-1 in the CCAA. SF State drops to 2-13 overall and 0-8 in CCAA play.
Mounier's 19 point performance was a game-high, brought about by good poise on both the defensive and offensive ends. She was .546 percent (6-11) from the field and splashed three from three-point range. She also grabbed five rebounds for UCSD.
Dalayna Sampton chimed in with 13 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Haley Anderson sunk two from long range for six points, both shots shifting game momentum back to the Tritons.
Lauryn Catching led the Gators in scoring with 13 points. Kaitlin DaDalt chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.
UCSD's hot shooting in the first frame (47.1%, 8-17) helped give the Tritons a final shooting percentage of 46 percent (23-50) while SF State finished with 38.2 (21-55). 12 points came from the free-throw line for the Tritons, good for 70.6 percent (12-17).
UCSD began the match with eight unanswered points off of open looks inside the paint. Six quick points for Sampton and an easy lay-up from Cassie MacLeod gave the Tritons an 8-0 advantage less than three minutes into the game.
"Different people stepped up and made big plays for us," said head coach Heidi VanDerveer. "We are fortunate to have good versatility and people who work hard together."
A renewed offensive rhythm from the Gators led to a 50 percent (6-12) shooting effort and a UCSD team leading by only five (33-28) going into the half.
The second half saw both teams in a virtual stalemate, with both squads ending the third with 20 points each. In the final frame, UCSD's defense stepped up to limit San Francisco to just seven points.
UC San Diego rounds out this trip with a 5:30 p.m game against Sonoma State on Saturday, Jan. 14.
#AllForOne
