LA JOLLA, Calif. - Scott Everman netted a career-high 16 points but it wasn't enough as the 18th-ranked University of California San Diego men's basketball team dropped a 72-67 decision to conference foe Cal State San Marcos Thursday evening at RIMAC Arena.
With its second-straight loss, UC San Diego fell to 14-4 on the season and 9-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). It was the first time this year that UCSD lost consecutive contests and just its second loss at home.
UCSD led by as many as 11 points in the first half as a layup by George Buaku put the Tritons up 20-9 with 11:26 left in the period. However, CSUSM started chipping away and took a 28-26 lead when Josh Spiers hit a three with 2:45 to go until the break. The Cougars led the rest of the way and held a 34-28 advantage at halftime.
San Marcos upped its lead to 10 points (38-28) at the 16:53 mark of the second half, but UC San Diego was far from done. An Everman three pulled the Tritons within a single point, 52-51, at 7:25. The Cougars quickly got back up by eight, but with just seven ticks on the clock, Christian Oshita drilled a trey to cut UCSD's deficit to three, 70-67. Spiers hit two crucial free throws with four second remaining to seal the win.
Everman was 6-for-11 shooting, which included four three-pointers. The freshman forward also added two rebounds and two assists. Three other Tritons scored in double figures as Buaku had 13, Adam Klie finished with 12 and Oshita had 10. Buaku equaled a career-best with six assists, while Klie grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Michael Shoemaker had seven points and eight boards in 10 minutes of playing time.
UC San Diego shot just 36 percent (12-33) in the first half and improved to 56 percent (15-27) in the second. The Tritons finished at 45 percent (27-60). Six of their nine three-pointers came in the second stanza. They out-rebounded their opponent 35-30, but turned the ball over 16 times, a season-high.
UCSD went to the charity stripe just eight times, making four.
With its sixth-straight victory, Cal State San Marcos improved to 13-5 on the year and 8-3 in the CCAA. Five Cougars had 10 or more points with Tyson Kygar finishing with a game-high 19. Joe Boyd registered a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
CSUSM shot 40 percent (19-47) for the game and made 27 of its 32 free throws.
UC San Diego now goes back on the road, playing at Stanislaus State on Jan. 27 and at 19th-ranked Chico State on Jan. 28.
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