LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego built a 25-point lead in the second half and hung on for the 81-76 victory over Cal State Fullerton on Senior Day at RIMAC Arena. Freshman
Francis Nwaokorie scored a career-high 23 for the Tritons, and senior
Toni Rocak added 20 for the home team in the win.
The Tritons improved to 12-15 overall and 6-10 vs. Big West opponents with the victory. Cal State Fullerton fell to 17-9 overall and 11-4 vs. Big West foes.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons got off to a hot start offensively, connecting on seven of their first nine shots to take a 16-8 lead over Fullerton just seven minutes into the contest. The Titans drew to within 16-13, but UC San Diego continued to knock down shots.
The Tritons connected on 72% of their field goal tries in the first half (21-of-29) – including 10-for-15 from beyond the arc to go up by a 52-29 score at the half.
UC San Diego put up more than 50 in the first half for the second straight game, after dropping 57 on Thursday night at Long Beach State.
Nwaokorie led all scorers with 15 in the first 20 minutes, hitting six of his nine tries. He also dished out four assists without committing a turnover. As a team, the Tritons registered 16 assists on 21 made field goals in the first half.
The Titans began to cut into UC San Diego's lead in the second half. Down by 23, Cal State Fullerton used a 12-0 run to draw within 65-54 midway through the second.
Jake Killingsworth buried a big three with a hand in his face to stretch the advantage back to 14.
Cal State Fullerton's press gave UC San Diego difficulties, and the Titans got within one, 77-76, with two minutes left. The Tritons held the visitors scoreless for the final two minutes to secure the win.
Nwaokorie finished with 23 points, nine rebounds four assists and four steals and Rocak added 20 points and six boards for UC San Diego.
Playing in his final home game,
Jake Killingsworth scored eight, grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists. As a team, the Tritons shot 56% on the afternoon and 55% 3FG (12-for-22).
E.J. Anosike Damari Milstead and Tray Maddox Jr. all scored 18 for the Titans.
TRITON TIDBITS
- Prior to the game, UC San Diego honored six graduating scholar-athletes: Matt Gray, Jake Killingsworth, Justin Pratt, Kaden Rasheed, Toni Rocak, and Lunden Taylor.
- Each team finished with 27 rebounds.
- All eight players who saw minutes for UC San Diego scored three or more points.
- The Tritons are now 3-1 all-time vs. Cal State Fullerton – including a perfect 3-0 at home.
- UC San Diego concludes its home schedule with a record of 9-4 at RIMAC Arena.
UP NEXT
UC San Diego wraps up its second Division I season next week, when the Tritons visit CSU Bakersfield and Cal Poly (March 3-5). Both games tip at 7 p.m. and both will air live on ESPN+.
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.
