CHICO, Calif. - The University of California San Diego men's basketball team led by 15 points in the first half but made just 20 percent of its shots in the second and lost, 69-64, at 23rd-ranked Chico State Saturday night at Acker Gymnasium.
UC San Diego's records were lowered to 15-5 overall and 10-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Chico State improved to 18-3 and 11-2. The two squads entered the night tied for first in the CCAA with Chico grabbing sole possession due to its victory.
UCSD hit just five of its 25 shot attempts overall and went 0-for-8 from behind the three-point line in the second stanza. Those numbers came after shooting 58 percent (18-31) and making five of eight threes in the first half. The Tritons led by a score of 42-29 at the break.
Conversely, the Wildcats stayed consisent all night, shooting at a 46 percent clip in both frames. They out-scored the Tritons by a 40-22 count in the second half.
"I'm proud of our effort," said UCSD head coach Eric Olen. "We played really well early, but Chico made more plays down the stretch."
For the Tritons, senior guard Adam Klie poured in a game-high 24 points, one short of his career-high. He shot 50 percent, draining eight of his 16 field goal attempts. Klie also finished with five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Sophomore guard Christian Oshita totaled 16 points and a team-best seven boards, while junior guard Anthony Ballestero and senior guard Aleks Lipovic had six points apiece. Ballestero dished out a career-high five assists.
Trailing by a single point with 2:26 left in the game, Chico State's Isaiah Ellis made a layup to put his team up 61-60 and the Wildcats were able to hold a lead the rest of the way.
Four players logged 10 or more points for Chico, including Michael Bethea, Jr. (14), Corey Silverstrom (14), Robert Duncan (11) and Justin Briggs (10). Bethea was 4-for-6 from behind the three-point arc. Briggs and Jalen McFerren each pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.
The Tritons and Wildcats split the regular season series as UCSD won, 60-56, on Dec. 1 in La Jolla.
UC San Diego is back home for a pair next week. On Friday, Feb. 3, the Tritons host Cal State Monterey Bay for Spirit Night. On Saturday, Feb. 4, Cal State East Bay visits RIMAC Arena. Both games are set for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
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