LA JOLLA, Calif. – The UC San Diego women's basketball team came away with a thrilling 73-71 win over UC Santa Barbara at RIMAC Arena this afternoon. With the win, UC San Diego improves to 2-1 on the season and 2-1 in Big West action, while the Gauchos fall to 2-7 on the season and 2-3 in conference play.
It all came down to the final seconds. With the teams locked in a 71-71 tie,
Tyla Turner launched a pass from the baseline to
Brianna Claros, who scrambled to collect it and send it back to Turner. Turner then instantly nailed a shot to put UC San Diego up 73-71 with only 4.2 seconds to go. The Gauchos were unable to score in the final moments, sealing the win for the Tritons.
It was evident from the start that it would be a competitive contest. The early minutes of the contest were a back-and-forth affair, until an 11-2 run by the Tritons put them up 19-12 with two minutes left. However, the Gauchos responded by outscoring the Tritons 8-2 in the final two minutes, cutting UC San Diego's lead to just one (21-20) at the end of the opening period. Turner and
Emily Cangelosi each contributed eight points in the Tritons' early efforts.
In the next quarter, the Tritons were able to better contain the Gauchos. After the Gauchos recorded a field goal percentage of 64.3% in the first 10 minutes, they dropped to 37.5% in the second quarter.
Parker Montgomery put up eight points in the period as the Tritons outscored the Gauchos 23-16, bringing the score to 44-36 at halftime.
Although the Triton offense remained steady throughout the first 20 minutes, the third quarter proved problematic. The Tritons shot just 20% (3-15) and only put up nine points, while the Gauchos scored 20. At the end of the third quarter, the Gauchos held a slim three-point lead (56-53).
In the final quarter, UC Santa Barbara maintained its lead for more than nine minutes, but the Tritons chipped away, setting up the late heroics in the final minute. Turner put up seven points in the period, including her basket in the final seconds to give UC San Diego the win.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach
Heidi VanDerveer and Turner spoke after the victory.
TRITON TIDBITS
UP NEXT
Next, the Tritons are slated to face UC Davis (1-0). UC San Diego will face UC Davis on the road on Jan. 22 and 23, with times to be determined. The games would be the Aggies' first since the program was paused due to Yolo County health orders on Dec. 5, 2020.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful?programs in?NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as?a?member?of the Big West Conference in?
NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in?Divisions?II?and III and helped guide?1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.?For more information on the Tritons, visit?UCSDtritons.com?
or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media?@UCSDtritons.
