LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego returned from a nine-day layoff and defeated Stanton, 85-62, at LionTree Arena on Sunday afternoon. The Tritons pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Elks 50-31, with significant contributions from their bench, which added 39 points. UC San Diego capitalized on turnovers, scoring 20 points off Stanton's 18 giveaways.
Leo Beath scored 18 points, including two 3-pointers, and added four assists.
Bol Dengdit tallied 10 points, recorded three blocks, and collected 10 rebounds.
Jaden Vance posted a career-high 16 points, converting three-of-five attempts from beyond the arc.
Emanuel Prospere II added six points and registered two steals while grabbing four rebounds.
UC San Diego closed out non-conference action improving to 11-2 overall. The game was marked as an exhibition for the Elks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC San Diego began the game with a strong offensive showing, highlighted by
Aidan Burke's early 3-pointer. The home team's aggressive play was evident as they forced turnovers and capitalized on second-chance opportunities, leading to a narrow back-and-forth exchange with Stanton. Prospere contributed significantly off the bench, adding crucial points in the paint.
As the half progressed, the Tritons maintained their edge through effective perimeter shooting, with Beath and
Alex Chaikin each hitting from beyond the arc. The team also showed resilience on defense, with Dengdit executing a key block and securing multiple defensive rebounds. The first half concluded with a 13-3 UC San Diego run, giving the Tritons a 35-31 lead. The Tritons improved to 10-0 when leading at halftime.
UC San Diego began the second half with a fast start, capitalizing on a turnover by Stanton's Nigel McKay.
Tom Beattie initiated a quick transition with a steal and subsequent dunk, followed by Prospere scoring on a fast-break layup to extend their lead. The Tritons maintained momentum through effective defensive plays, including blocks by Beattie and Dengdit, which facilitated a scoring drive that included fast-break points and efficient shooting beyond the arc.
UC San Diego continued to extend its advantage with contributions from various players, including a series of successful three-pointers from Chaikin, Beath, and Vance. The Tritons widened the gap with a robust performance on both ends, converting turnovers into points and maintaining a strong presence in the paint. The half concluded with the Tritons holding a commanding lead, finishing the game at 85-62 against Stanton.
TRITON TIDBITS
- After Stanton built its largest lead of the game (six), the Tritons closed the first half on a 13-3 run.
- Bol Dengdit's double-double with 10 points and ten rebounds was the Tritons' first of the season. His ten rebounds are also the most by a Triton in any game this season.
- Sunday was the first meeting between the Elks and Tritons.
QUOTABLE
UP NEXT
It's Big West play from here on out for UC San Diego in the new year. The Tritons resume conference play on Thursday, Jan. 1, when they visit Cal Poly. Action tips at 7 p.m. in San Luis Obispo, with a live broadcast on ESPN+ and a link to live stats on UCSDTritons.com.
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 in NCAA Division I. The 24-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 NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
