LONG BEACH, Calif.—UC San Diego women's basketball defeated Long Beach State, 82-51, on Thursday evening in Walter Pyramid. The Tritons (17-14, 13-6 Big West) moved into sole possession of third place in the Big West with the win over the Beach (15-13, 11-8 Big West).
 
Sumayah Sugapong led the team with standout contributions in several areas, including a team-high of seven field goals made and nine assists, along with four steals. Sugapong collected a game-high 18 points in the contest and set the Tritons' Division I single season scoring record (440) in the process—breaking her mark of 434 from a season ago.
 
Sabrina Ma added 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Parker Montgomery was efficient from the three-point line, hitting 4-of-5 attempts, contributing to his total of 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, and securing six rebounds. Kayanna Spriggs led the team with 10 rebounds (4 offensive) and scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting for her third double-double of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After the Beach opened the game with a 4-0 run, the Tritons responded to score 11 unanswered. The scoring run was highlighted by three consecutive three-pointers, two from Montgomery and one from Ma. The team maintained momentum with contributions from Gracie Gallegos and Erin Condron to combine for a 4-0 run and give UC San Diego a 15-6. Condron contributed a jumper and two made free throws down the stretch and the Tritons concluded the quarter with a 19-13 lead.
 
In the second quarter, the Tritons outscored Long Beach State 23-13, highlighted by 10 points from Ma in the period. Sugapong contributed significantly with multiple defensive plays, including a steal at 7:20 leading to a fast-break layup by Montgomery to make it 25-18. Junaé Mahan also made key contributions, scoring four free throws, two of which came at 5:23, helping to maintain UC San Diego's lead. A pair of late threes by Ma helped the Tritons build a commanding 42-26 halftime advantage.
 
In the third quarter, the Tritons maintained their lead with significant contributions from Spriggs and Sugapong. Spriggs opened the quarter with two consecutive layups in the opening minute, the second assisted by Sugapong. Sugapong was active throughout, adding a jumper at 7:55 and later assisting Montgomery's three-pointer at 6:46. The Tritons continued to apply pressure in the closing minutes of the period and took a 60-43 lead into the final quarter break.
 
UC San Diego secured a decisive fourth quarter against Long Beach State, outscoring LBSU 22-8. Spriggs was instrumental, scoring multiple layups, including one at 9:32 assisted by Mahan, and another fastbreak layup at 4:31 with an assist from Sugapong. Ma was also a key contributor with a layup at 5:42 and an assist on Eri Blithikioti's three-pointer at 2:19. UC San Diego scored 17 unanswered to close out the contest and earn the 82-51 victory.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Sumayah Sugapong set the Tritons' Division I single season scoring record in the contest and now has 440 points this season.
  • She broke her own record from a season ago (434) as a freshman.
• Kayanna Spriggs recorded her third double-double of the season.
  • She is now 13 rebounds away from setting the Tritons' Division I single season rebounding record (231; Katie Springs; 2023-24).
• With the win and a UC Davis loss, the Tritons moved into third place in the Big West and will face the Aggies on Saturday in the season finale.
• The Tritons are now 4-6 in the all-time series with Long Beach State.
• UC San Diego starters were Sumayah Sugapong, Sabrina Ma, Gracie Gallegos, Kayanna Spriggs and Parker Montgomery.

UP NEXT
The Tritons will celebrate seven seniors before Saturday's game against UC Davis at 2 p.m. Seniors include Meaali'i Amosa, Izzy Forsyth, Kayanna Spriggs, Damilola Sule, Emma Svoboda, Grace Talbot and Parker Montgomery. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live statistics will be available via UCSDTritons.com.
 
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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 began a new era in 2020 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 earned 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.