LA JOLLA, Calif. - Adam Klie scored a career-high 29 points to pace the University of California San Diego men's basketball team to a 78-72 win over Humboldt State in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament quarterfinal Tuesday night at RIMAC Arena.
With its eighth straight victory, top-seeded UC San Diego improved to 23-5 and will face Chico State, the tourney's fourth seed, in a semifinal on Friday, March 3 at Cal State San Marcos (5:30 p.m.).
Klie was 9-for-12 overall from the field and 3-for-3 from behind the three-point line. He made eight of 11 free throws and also contributed five rebounds, three assists and a steal. It was the second straight game that the senior guard set a career mark in points as he totaled 26 at Cal State San Bernardino on Feb. 23.
Sophomore guard/forward Christian Oshita also produced a career performance for the Tritons, recording a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds. His rebound total established a new career high, while his point tally equaled a career best. Oshita hit five treys in the game and seven of his boards were on the offensive end.
Aleks Lipovic finished in double figures as well, scoring 13, nine of those coming off three-pointers.
UCSD shot 46 percent (27-59) for the game and hit 12 threes, 10 of those finding the net in the first half.
The Tritons led the Lumberjacks by 14 points, 46-32, at halftime. HSU out-scored UCSD, 40-32, in the second half and cut its deficit to two with 8:55 remaining in the contest. However, the Tritons scored the next six points and maintained a lead of at least four the rest of the way.
The eight consecutive wins are the most for UCSD since the program moved to NCAA Division II status for the 2000-01 season.
Humboldt State's season came to an end at 13-16. Nikhil Lizotte finished with 24 points and Tyras Rattler, Jr. totaled 20 to go along with nine rebounds.
Chico State (23-6) defeated Cal State Dominguez Hills, 75-72, Tuesday to advance to Friday's semifinal round.
Both UCSD and Chico are receiving votes in the NABC national poll.
Friday's second semifinal features second-seeded San Francisco State against No. 3 Sonoma State. The championship game is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 4 at Cal State San Marcos.
Tickets for the semifinals and final are now on sale at csusmcougars.com/tickets or by calling 760-750-7102.
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