CHICO, Calif. – The No. 20 University of California San Diego women's basketball team outlasted Chico State, 69-61, in overtime this evening to pick up their 10
th-consecutive win and remain in first place in the conference.
With the victory, UC San Diego improves to 18-4 on the season and 14-3 in California Collegiate Athletic Association play. The Wildcats fall to 12-9 overall and 8-7 in conference action.
The Tritons and Wildcats were neck and neck throughout the first two quarters, with five lead changes during that time. UC San Diego outshot and outrebounded Chico State in the first 20 minutes, but was uncharacteristically sloppy during that time. Entering the game ranked fifth in the nation with just 11.7 turnovers per game, the Tritons committed 10 during the first half and the Wildcats were able to capitalize with 11 points. At halftime, UC San Diego held a slim 33-32 lead.
The teams battled throughout the third and fourth quarters as well. With under two minutes to go, the Wildcats tied the game at 61-61. Neither team scored in the remainder of regulation, forcing overtime.
UC San Diego quickly grabbed the lead in overtime, as
Tyla Turner knocked down a 3-point shot 20 seconds in. The Tritons put up five free throws the rest of the way while holding the Wildcats scoreless to bring the final score to 69-61.
"This was a really good win for our team," said Head Coach
Heidi VanDerveer. "We found a way to make plays when we needed to. I thought
Tyla Turner and
Brianna Claros were particularly good tonight. Bri did a great job defending their leading scorer, challenging every shot that she took. Syd Brown also had a great night and was a big contributor offensively."
Five Tritons put up double-digit points in the victory.
Sydney Brown led the way with a game-best 18 points. Brown's nine rebounds were also a team high.
Turner and
Isabelle Parker followed with 12 points apiece. Turner was critical with six points in overtime, while Parker and
Julia Macabuhay each knocked down a free throw. Macabuhay finished the night with 10 points, as did
Brianna Claros.
Sydney Sharp's six assists were a game high. The mark is a new collegiate best for Sharp.
The Tritons will now return to La Jolla for their final homestand of the regular season. The action begins at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 as they host Cal State Dominguez Hills at RIMAC Arena.
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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