MISSOULA, Mont. – Following Saturday's come-from-behind win at Sacramento State, the UC San Diego men's basketball team continues its road trip with three games in the Zootown Classic, hosted by the University of Montana. Winners of six straight dating back to last season, the Tritons (4-0) will play at Montana on Wednesday night before taking on Southern Miss (Thursday) and UNC Wilmington (Friday).
 
DETAILS
Game 5
UC San Diego (4-0, 0-0 Big West) at Montana (2-2, 0-0 Big Sky)
Wednesday, November 24
7:30 p.m. MST
Dahlberg Arena, Missoula, Mont.
Watch on ESPN+ | Live Stats
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A

Game 6
UC San Diego (4-0, 0-0 Big West) vs. Southern Miss (2-2, 0-0 Conference USA)
Thursday, November 25
5:00 p.m. MST
Dahlberg Arena, Missoula, Mont.
Live Stats
Series Record: Southern Miss leads, 2-0
Last Meeting: at Southern Miss 94, UC San Diego 61 (Jan. 6, 1978)

Game 7
UC San Diego (4-0, 0-0 Big West) vs. UNC Wilmington (3-2, 0-0 CAA)
Friday, November 26
5:00 p.m. MST
Dahlberg Arena, Missoula, Mont.
Live Stats
Series Record: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A

ABOUT THE TRITONS
Roster | Schedule | Stats
Overall: 4-0
Big West: 0-0
Home: 2-0
Away: 2-0
Neutral: 0-0
vs. Ranked Opponents: 0-0
Streak: W4

TRITONS, STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Stat	UCSD	Opp.
Points	80.8	59.5
Field Goal Pct.	.493	.377
3-Point FG Pct.	.448	.229
Free Throw Pct.	.760	.647
Rebounds	37.5	30.8
Assists	12.5	7.3
Turnovers	14.0	13.3
Steals	7.3	6.0
Blocks	2.0	3.3

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES
Roster | Schedule | Stats
Overall: 2-2
Big Sky: 0-0
Home: 2-0
Away: 0-2
Neutral: 0-0
vs. Ranked Opponents: 0-0
Streak: W1

ABOUT THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Roster | Schedule | Stats
Overall: 2-2
Conference USA: 0-0
Home: 2-1
Away: 0-1
Neutral: 0-0
vs. Ranked Opponents: 0-0
Streak: W1

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS
Roster | Schedule | Stats
Overall: 3-2
CAA: 0-0
Home: 2-0
Away: 1-2
Neutral: 0-0
vs. Ranked Opponents: 0-0
Streak: W2

UC SAN DIEGO AND COVID-19
UC San Diego's nationally renowned Return to Learn program was created to return to in-person teaching, learning, conducting pioneering research and serving our communities in the safest way possible. The program has three adaptive pillars that are central to our strategy to resume on-campus activity: risk mitigation, viral detection, and intervention.

For the latest information on UC San Diego and COVID-19, please visit the University's Return to Learn site.

ATTENDING THE GAMES
Per the current COVID-19 guidelines set by the state of California, the County of San Diego and the Big West Conference, fans are permitted to attend home games at RIMAC Arena. However, all fans ages three and older are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 48 hours of game time. All fans must wear a mask which covers their nose and mouth at all times. For more information, click here.
 
TRITON BOX OFFICE
Single game tickets to UC San Diego basketball home games are now on-sale. For more information or to purchase, click here. Currently enrolled UC San Diego students are provided free admission by showing a valid campus ID at the arena entrance.

GAME DAY HAS A NEW LOOK
Triton fans now have a whole new way to access game day information, as game programs have gone digital! Fans can visit UCSDTritons.com/MBBgameday from their smart phone or scan the QR code at the entrance to RIMAC Arena for everything they need to know about each home game, including updated rosters, schedules, and stats for each team, as well as links to watch on ESPN+.

COVERING THE TRITONS
Media members wishing to cover a UC San Diego game in-person at RIMAC Arena must notify a member of the Athletics Communication staff no later than 24 hours prior to the game. All media members will need to complete a UC San Diego symptom screening form on the day of game prior to arriving on campus.

Following the conclusion of each home game, a video highlight melt and video postgame interviews will be made available for media members to download.
 
ON THE MOVE
After 20 seasons playing as an NCAA Division II team, the entire athletics program is in its second year of a four-year transition to NCAA Division I, culminating in full DI status as a member of the Big West Conference for the 2024-25 academic year. At that time, all sports will be eligible for conference and NCAA postseason play.
 
LAST TIME OUT
UC San Diego ran its record to 4-0 on the season as the Tritons rallied for a 71-56 victory at Sacramento State on Saturday night. Despite trailing for nearly the entire first half, UC San Diego pulled away in the final ten minutes to win its sixth straight game dating back to last season.
 
Four players scored in double figures for the Tritons – who are off to their best start since the 2019-20 team began the program's final Division II campaign with an 8-0 record.
 
FINDING A WAY
UC San Diego was an uncharacteristic 2-11 from beyond the arc in Saturday's win at Sacramento State – the fewest three-pointers in a game for UC San Diego since Jan. 30, 2016. The Tritons picked up the road win thanks to 36 points in the paint in addition to converting 16-of-18 free throw attempts in the second half. UC San Diego came into that game tops in the Big West in three-point field goals, averaging 12.3 per game.
 
TIME TRAVELERS
When UC San Diego participates in the University of Montana's Zootown Classic this week, it will mark the Tritons' first games played in the Mountain Time Zone since playing a pair at Colorado School of Mines in 2014.
 
As part of its Big West schedule, the Tritons will play at conference foe Hawai'i in January, marking the third time zone for the team in 2021-22. One would have to go back to the 2007-08 season to find the last time UC San Diego played games in three time zones. That season, the program played games in the Mountain Time Zone (Grand Canyon) as well as in the Alaska Time Zone (Alaska-Anchorage).
 
NWAOKORIE GETS REWARDED
UC San Diego freshman forward Francis Nwaokorie has made quite an impact off the bench and was named the UCSDTritons.com Athlete of the Week (Nov. 22). The Minnesota native averaged 11.5 points on 64.3% shooting (9-14 FG overall, including 2-4 3FG) over 22 minutes per game, helping the Tritons to two more victories last week. Nwaokorie averaged 4.5 rebounds per game in the wins with three steals and two blocked shots. UC San Diego is the lone unbeaten Big West team remaining, and thanks to the 4-0 start, the Tritons now have a winning record all-time in Division I.
 

This week's Athletes of the Week are Katja Pavicevic and Francis Nwaokorie! Congrats, & keep up the great work! ??#GoTritons https://t.co/NwtLe6ZwYY pic.twitter.com/17dlvCDuaq

— UC San Diego Tritons (@UCSDtritons) November 22, 2021

ROCAK NETS BIG WEST HONORS
After leading his team to a pair of opening week victories, UC San Diego senior forward Toni Rocak was honored by the Big West as the conference's Player of the Week on November 15. 
The Geneva, Switzerland resident scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Tritons' 13-point win at Cal – UC San Diego's first ever Division I road win. He added 11 points and 7 rebounds as the Tritons downed George Washington. For the week, Rocak averaged 19 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, shooting 55%.  

CONTRIBUTION OFF THE BENCH
UC San Diego's bench has contributed quite a bit of production through the team's first four games. The Tritons are averaging more than 34 points per game from their bench – netting 67 off the bench in a 97-60 victory over San Diego Christian (Nov. 16).
 
SENSATIONAL SECOND STANZA
In UC San Diego's 80-67 win at Cal (Nov. 9), the Tritons shot 12-for-18 in the second half – including 7-of-10 from three-point range. UC San Diego also converted 16-of-20 second half free throw tries in Berkeley.
 
KOSAKOWSKI CONNECTS FROM DISTANCE
Sophomore forward Jake Kosakowski has hit 8 of his 16 three-point field goal attempts (50%) through the team's first four contests. He was 5-of-17 from beyond the arc last season.
 
GRAY GETS THE CALL
Junior Matt Gray made his first career start in the season opener at Cal (Nov. 9). He scored a career-high ten points in 19 minutes as the Tritons beat the Golden Bears.
 
WELCOME BACK TO RIMAC!
When the Tritons beat George Washington on Nov. 13, it marked UC San Diego's first home game with fans in attendance since the Tritons won the CCAA (Division II) conference championship on March 7, 2020 – some 617 days prior.
 
ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Returners
Matt Gray, Jr., F
Jake Killingsworth, Gr., G
Jake Kosakowski, So., F
Bryce Pope, So., G
Justin Pratt, Jr., G
Kaden Rasheed, Sr., G
Toni Rocak, Sr., F
Jace Roquemore, So., G
Lunden Taylor, Jr., G
 
Newcomers
J'Raan Brooks, Jr., F (Washington)
Fallou Cisse, Fr., F
Justin DeGraaf, Fr., F
Francis Nwaokorie, Fr., F
Michael Pearson Jr., Fr., G
Vuk Vulikic, So., G (UTEP)
 
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR
This year's Tritons squad boasts scholar-athletes from four countries:
 
Fallou Cisse, Senegal
Matt Gray, Australia
Toni Rocak, Croatia
Vuk Vulikic, Serbia
 
ROCAK PLAYS FOR SWISS NATIONAL TEAM
A native of Croatia who was raised in Switzerland, Toni Rocak competed for the Swiss National Team over the summer in World Cup qualifiers. He was the Tritons' leading scorer and rebounder last season.
 
SHARP SHOOTERS
UC San Diego led the NCAA in three-point field goals per game (11.1) last season. The Tritons drained a Big West single-game record 22 in a win over Bethesda (Feb. 7). Jake Killingsworth is the Tritons' top returning three-point shooter, averaging two per game last season on 41% shooting from beyond the arc.
 
DIVISION I FIRSTS

First Season	2020-21
First Game	Dec. 22, 2020 vs. Saint Katherine
First Win over Division I Opponent	Jan. 22, 2021 vs. UC Davis
First Basket vs. D1 Opponent	Jace Roquemore (1/8/21) vs. UC Irvine
First Division I Road Win	Nov. 9, 2021 at Cal

 
TRITONS INK TWO FOR CLASS OF '26
The UC San Diego men's basketball program has announced two high school standout scholar-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the team as freshmen for the 2022-23 academic year. Roddie Anderson III and Quin Patterson have committed to join the Tritons to make up the Class of 2026.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
UC San Diego returns to RIMAC Arena to host Eastern Michigan on Dec. 2. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip on ESPN+ and tickets can be purchased at UCSDTritons.com/tickets.
 
REPLACING THE DISTRIBUTION
UC San Diego graduated its all-time assist leader following last season. Mikey Howell averaged six assists per game last year (tops in the Big West) and finished his career with 502 assists – more than any Triton in program history.
 
HADLEY SUITS UP IN AUSTRALIA
UC San Diego guard Gabe Hadley '21 signed a professional contract with the Geelong Supercats in Australia's NBL1 in the spring. As part of the NBL1 South Conference, the Supercats are one of the 18 highly-competitive teams throughout the Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and South Australia areas.
 
Hadley is one of three former Tritons to ink pro deals in the last two years. Following the memorable 2019-20 season, both Chris Hansen (Solvakia) and Christian Oshita (Germany) signed pro contracts.

ABOUT THOSE STANDINGS…
In their second year of its NCAA-mandated four-year reclassification to Division I, the Tritons are not eligible to compete in NCAA postseason events. As such, the Big West has elected not include UC San Diego in its men's basketball standings and the Tritons did not appear in the preseason poll. However, UC San Diego will play a full slate of Big West games and be eligible for individual Big West honors (e.g., All-Conference Team, Player of the Year, etc.).
 
WHY THE TRITONS?
The Triton is described as the offspring of Poseidon and Amphitrite, a demigod of the sea with a lower part of the body like that of a fish. It is known as a mighty and fierce sea warrior. Given UC San Diego's close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and its connections with the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Triton became our mascot in 1964.
 
ROQUEMORE FEATURED IN UC SAN DIEGO CA NOTIFY VIDEO
UC San Diego redshirt sophomore Jace Roquemore stars in a video promoting the use of the CA Notify app on campus. CA Notify uses the Exposure Notifications System from Google and Apple to alert users when they have been exposed to COVID-19. It will quickly notify the user if they have likely been exposed, allowing them to seek medical attention and reduce risk for their loved ones. First launched on the UC San Diego campus, the CA Notify app is available to all California residents.
 
UC SAN DIEGO ON THE WORLDWIDE LEADER
Most UC San Diego home men's and women's basketball games, men's and women's soccer matches, men's and women's volleyball matches, baseball and softball games are broadcast live on ESPN+. For more information on where to watch UC San Diego basketball, visit UCSDTritons.com/live.
 
UC SAN DIEGO ATHLETICS LAUNCHES WEEKLY PODCAST
As part of UC San Diego's transition to Division I, the Athletics Department launched a weekly podcast, Tritoncast. Produced by UC San Diego Athletics Communications, Tritoncast features in-depth interviews with UC San Diego personalities including scholar-athletes, alums, coaches, and administrators. Triton fans will get an inside look at the UC San Diego Athletics Department as the program transitions to NCAA Division I and the Big West Conference. New episodes of Tritoncast are available each week on the most popular podcasting apps, including Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Audible, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, and Vurbl. In addition, each episode can be heard and downloaded on UCSDTritons.com. For individual show information and listen links, follow Tritoncast on Twitter @Tritoncast.
 
GET SOCIAL WITH UC SAN DIEGO HOOPS
Keep up with the Tritons all season long on social media through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The team's handle is @ucsdmbb.
 
FOR THE YOUNGER CROWD
Got some young Triton fans in your family? If they are eighth grade or under, check out the Junior Triton Club. Membership includes a free t-shirt, admission to over 100 UC San Diego home athletic events, and much more!

GEAR
For the latest Triton apparel and accessories, click here.
 
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 38 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.