LA JOLLA, Calif.—UC San Diego women's basketball fell to UC Davis, 69-58, on Saturday afternoon in LionTree Arena. The Tritons (17-15, 13-7 Big West) held a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter before the Aggies (19-11, 13-7 Big West) came back to take the regular season finale.
Sumayah Sugapong led the team with 18 points, while
Parker Montgomery matched her season high with 17 points, hitting 5-of-7 three-pointers.
Sabrina Ma was a defensive standout with two blocks and two steals, while Montgomery led the team with three steals.
Gracie Gallegos contributed significantly in playmaking, recording five assists and pulling down nine rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons started the first quarter strong with Sugapong hitting a three-pointer at 9:37 to spark an 8-0 start to the contest. Gallegos added to the scoring with a layup and free throw at 3:12, further extending the team's advantage. The Tritons built an early 18-5 advantage to start the contest. Despite a late surge from the Aggies with three consecutive three-pointers, the Tritons maintained their lead, finishing the quarter ahead 18-14.
UC San Diego took control of the second quarter with a strong defensive effort and key plays down the stretch.
Erin Condron secured an offensive rebound and converted a layup at 8:49, contributing to the home team's early lead. Back-to-back threes by UCD evened the game at 20-all before the Triton offense kicked into gear once again. Montgomery made a significant impact with two consecutive three-pointers, one assisted by Gallegos to build the lead back to eight, 28-20. The Tritons' defense was highlighted by three blocks, including a crucial one by Ma in the final seconds, helping the Tritons to a 13-8 quarter advantage over the Aggies. Montgomery hit a late three with just over 30 seconds to play and UC San Diego took a 31-22 advantage into halftime.
The teams traded baskets for most of the third quarter before a pair of free throws by Sugapong and a three by Montgomery built the lead back to double-figures, 41-29. The Tritons held on down the stretch and took a 47-40 advantage into the final quarter break.
After Sugapong knocked down a jumper to open the final period, UC Davis went on a 14-2 run that included six free throws to its first lead of the contest, 54-51. Montgomery ended the run with a three to tie it again, but the Aggies responded with one of their own to pull in front once again, 57-54. UC Davis outscored the Tritons 12-2 down the stretch to close out the contest, 69-58.
TRITON TIDBITS
UP NEXT
UC San Diego will head to their first Big West Championship next week in Henderson, Nev. The Tritons sit in fourth place with final seeding and bracket information to be released by the Big West.
Article partially generated with FanWord.
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.
