RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The University of California San Diego women's basketball team got its 2017-18 campaign officially underway with a 69-52 win over Simon Fraser Friday afternoon at the CBU Events Center on the campus of California Baptist.
Sophomore Mikayla Williams and senior Dalayna Sampton scored in double-digits, putting up 22 and 16 points, respectively. They each walked away with a double-double, tallying 12 rebounds apiece, while Williams added two blocks and a steal. Senior Taylor Tanita dished out seven assists while junior Kayla Sato added five.
UCSD shot 45.0 percent (27-60) from the field, limiting SFU to 27.6 percent (16-58) shooting. The Tritons outscored the Clan 40-12 in the paint thanks to a 51-27 rebounding differential.
“It was great to get the first one in the rear view,” said UCSD head coach Heidi VanDerveer. “It was fantastic to see Dalayna, Mikayla, Shandiin and Rebecca dominate the paint and glass. After we settled in, our defense fueled our offense. It is special to have Taylor out there and see our guards gain confidence.”
A layup from SFU's Jones tied the game at 12 with 3:37 remaining in the first quarter before the Tritons went on a six-point run to take a lead they would not relinquish.
Junior Shandiin Armao scored a layup with 2:23 left in the first half to give UCSD a seven-point lead before SFU's Tayler Drynan netted a three-pointer to make it a four-point game, 36-32, at the half.
The Tritons outscored the Clan 33-20 in the second half with Simon Fraser totaling just eight points in the fourth quarter. Two made free throws from junior Rebecca Williams gave UCSD its largest lead of the game, 65-46, with 2:14 left in the contest.
Mikayla Williams had eight points and six rebounds in the second half for the Tritons.
Jessica Jones had 13 points for the Clan while Drynan and Claudia Hart added 12 and 11, respectively.
“We will enjoy the win and come back tomorrow against a very good California Baptist team with individual and collective improvement,” said VanDerveer.
Saturday's game against CBU is set for 12:00 p.m.
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