LA JOLLA, Calif. – Visiting Cal State Fullerton had five players in double figures and the Titans committed just six turnovers in an 88-71 victory over UC San Diego Thursday night at LionTree Arena. Christian Williams scored a game high 22 to pace Fullerton (7-10 overall, 2-3 Big West) in the win.
Bol Dengdit scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds for UC San Diego, one of three Tritons in double figures (
Alex Chaikin, 14, and
Aidan Burke, 10). The Tritons (12-4, 2-2) dropped a Big West home game for the first time since Jan. 11, 2025.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tritons were hot from distance out of the gate, hitting five of their first ten three-point attempts.
Bol Dengdit and
Alex Chaikin each knocked down a pair as UC San Diego ran out in front, 22-12, on a Dengdit three-ball at 10:18.
Up 24-14, UC San Diego went scoreless for more than four minutes as Fullerton went on a 6-0 spurt to draw within four.
Hudson Mayes broke the scoring drought with a pair of free throws, building the lead back to six. The Titans got within a point before a pair of
Trap Johnson threes extended the home team's lead.
The Titans closed the first half on a 10-0 run to surge ahead, 35-32, at the half. UC San Diego had an uncharacteristic ten first half turnovers, leading to nine Fullerton points. After hitting 5-of-10 from distance to begin the game, the Tritons connected on just 2-of-9 for the remainder of the half. Dengdit and Chaikin each scored eight to lead the way.
Fullerton continued its strong play out of the locker room, hitting six straight shots and using a 14-3 start to the period to take its largest lead of the night to that point, 49-35, with 16:20 left. The Titans continued to hit shots – knocking down 71% in the second half, as they rolled to the road win.
Cal State Fullerton's 88 points were the most surrendered in a game by UC San Diego this season.
TRITON TIDBITS
- UC San Diego trailed at halftime for just the fourth time this season. The Tritons are 1-3 when down at the break.
- When Cal State Fullerton led 78-58 in the second half, that marked UC San Diego's largest deficit in any game this season.
- The Tritons hit a season-best 89.5% from the free throw line (18-20).
- Thursday was the first time this season the Tritons outrebounded their opposition and didn't win.
- Fullerton's 15 made three-pointers are the most by a UC San Diego opponent this season.
UP NEXT
UC San Diego (2-2) heads to UC Riverside (1-3) for a 5 p.m. showdown Saturday evening. The game will be broadcast on 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.
