LA JOLLA, Calif. – Five Tritons scored in double figures led by a season-high 22 from Alex Chaikin but visiting CSUN earned an 84-79 win Thursday night in front of 3,117 at LionTree Arena. The Matadors also had five in double figures led by Mahmoud Fofana's double-double of 12 points and 17 rebounds. CSUN (11-8 overall, 4-3 Big West) held a 46-32 rebounding edge on the night.
 
The Tritons (13-5, 5-3) got six three-pointers from Chaikin, who made his first start of the season. Tom Beattie chipped in 13, Leo Beath 12, Hudson Mayes 11 points and nine rebounds, and Emanuel Prospere II added ten for UC San Diego.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was tightly contested, with neither team leading by more than six points until CSUN closed the half strong. In a period that featured seven ties and three lead changes, the Matadors led, 39-30, at the break. CSUN outrebounded the Tritons, 23-17. Neither team turned the ball over much, with CSUN committing four and the Tritons just three. Making his first start, Alex Chaikin scored eight to lead UC San Diego, with Aidan Burke adding seven.
 
The Tritons knocked down three three-pointers out of the gate to start the second – including a pair from Tom Beattie – as they got back in it. UC San Diego hit five of its first seven tries from distance as they got back to within three points at 58-55.
 
A bucket from Hudson Mayes with 7:10 left gave UC San Diego its first lead since 8:43 left in the first half. On the ensuing possession, Emanuel Prospere II scored to give UC San Diego a 69-67 advantage.
 
With the game tied, CSUN's Josiah Davis completed a three-point play to give his team a 79-76 lead with 93 seconds left. Chaikin answered with a three-pointer on the other end to level the score with 1:10 on the clock. Another three-point play for Davis put the Matadors back in front, 82-79. CSUN got a tip-in with 22 seconds to play to seal the victory.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• UC San Diego wore its blue jerseys for the first time at home since a win over Cal at LionTree Arena on Nov. 15, 2022.
• The Tritons trailed at halftime for just the fourth time at home this season.
• Tom Beattie hit a career-high three shots from beyond the arc – all after halftime.
• The Matadors hit seven of their final 10 field goal attempts.
• UC San Diego altered its starting lineup for the first time this season.

 
QUOTABLE

 
UP NEXT
UC San Diego concludes its third consecutive split week on Saturday afternoon at Cal State Bakersfield (2-5 Big West). The game will be broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet, ESPN+ and 97.3 The Fan, with 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.