LA JOLLA, Calif. – The No. 6/7 University of California San Diego women's basketball team topped Simon Fraser, 84-77, in its season opener at RIMAC Arena on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, UC San Diego starts the season at 1-0, while SFU falls to 2-3.
It was neck-and-neck early on for the Tritons and Clan. After a back and forth first quarter, the teams ended the period tied at 22 points apiece. The lead swaps continued throughout the second as well, with seven lead changes and six ties in the first two quarters, and the teams ultimately were tied at 42-42 at halftime.
Although a pair of free throws by SFU gave them their largest lead of the afternoon with 7:53 to go in the third quarter (49-44), Sydney Sharp's jumper and three-pointer brought the contest to a tie once again.
The final three minutes of the third quarter were crucial for the Tritons, as they outscored SFU 12-1 during that time. Brianna Claros contributed half of the Tritons' points during their run, nailing two shots from beyond the arc.
Throughout the fourth quarter, UC San Diego was able to preserve its lead. The Tritons came away with an 84-77 win in the end.
Julia Macabuhay led the Tritons with 19 points, which tied her career high. The sophomore was a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line and 2-for-2 in three-point attempts. Macabuhay also had 12 assists on the afternoon for a double-double.
Three other Tritons put up double-digit points against the Clan. Sydney Sharp (18), Tyla Turner (15), Isabelle Parker (12) and Brianna Claros (11) also scored in double-digits, as transfers Turner and Parker made their Triton debuts.
The Tritons will return to action when they travel to Azusa for the West Region Crossover Classic. UC San Diego will open the classic when it faces Western Washington at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 15.
About UC San Diego Athletics
With 30 national team championships, nearly 150 individual titles and the top student-athlete graduation rate among Division II institutions in the United States, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program annually ranks as one of the most successful in the country. The Tritons sponsor 23 intercollegiate sport programs that compete on the NCAA Division I and II levels and, in summer 2020, will transition into full Division I status as a member of the Big West Conference. UC San Diego student-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent. A total of 82 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. In competition, more than 1,300 UC San Diego student-athletes have earned All-America honors.
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