LA JOLLA, Calif. – Toni Rocak posted a double-double for UC San Diego but visiting Cal Poly rallied for a 59-55 victory over the Tritons Thursday night at RIMAC Arena.
Despite building a 13-point lead early in the second half, UC San Diego 8-11 (2-6 vs. Big West opponents) struggled to shoot the ball all night. The Tritons connected on just 8-of-30 attempts from beyond the three-point arc.
Cal Poly improved to 5-12 with the win (2-4 vs. Big West teams).
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a sluggish start for both teams offensively, as they shot a combined 4-for-23 to start the game. The Mustangs were held scoreless for more than six minutes as the Tritons went up 6-2. After the teams traded baskets, a
Bryce Pope three-pointer gave the Tritons an 11-8 lead with 8:00 left in the half.
UC San Diego extend its lead thanks to an 11-0 run, including a couple of threes from
Jake Kosakowski.
The Tritons led 33-22 at the half, despite shooting just 38%. UC San Diego forced 14 Mustang turnovers in the first, leading to 11 Triton points.
Kosakowski led all scorers with 11 points with
Francis Nwaokorie and
Bryce Pope adding six apiece.
Trailing by 13 in the second half, Cal Poly reeled off a 7-0 run over a span of 3:24 to cut UC San Diego's advantage to 37-31 with 13:30 left. The Mustangs later used a 9-1 run to go on top for the first time in the second half, 44-43, with 6:50 to play.
The Tritons stayed within striking distance, but the Mustangs hung on for the win.
UC San Diego shot just 29% after halftime and turned it over 10 times in the second half. Rocak paced the Tritons with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kosakowski scored 14 and
Bryce Pope added 12.
Cal Poly outrebounded the Tritons, 39-31. The Mustangs were 16-of-18 from the free throw line; UC San Diego was 7-for-9.
QUOTABLE
TRITON TIDBITS
- Rocak's double-double was his second of the season.
- UC San Diego lost for the first time at RIMAC Arena when leading at halftime.
- The contest was UC San Diego's fourth home game played without spectators.
- Thursday's game was the first-ever meeting between the programs as Big West members. Cal Poly won seven of the previous eight meetings when the Tritons competed in Division II or III.
UP NEXT
UC San Diego will wrap up the first half of its Big West schedule on Saturday, when the Tritons host CSU Bakersfield.
Spectators will not be permitted but the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ with Steve Quis and Ted Mendenhall calling the action. UC San Diego's KSDT Radio will have a live broadcast Saturday night from RIMAC as well.
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 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
