LA JOLLA, Calif. – UC San Diego (17-9, 7-7 Big West) defeated UC Davis (15-10, 8-6 Big West) 68-51 at LionTree Arena on Thursday night. UC San Diego capitalized on a strong defensive performance, recording eight blocks and holding UC Davis to just 22 field goals on 62 attempts. The Aggies' 51 points are a season low by a UC San Diego opponent.
The Tritons also dominated the paint with 36 points, securing the win in this Big West contest.
Freshman
Hudson Mayes finished with 18 points and collected 12 rebounds, while also recording two steals. Junior
Bol Dengdit scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and added two blocks. Junior
Aidan Burke contributed with three steals and two blocks and junior
Tom Beattie added 10 points and three assists in the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC San Diego started the first half strong, capitalizing on turnovers to maintain momentum. Mayes contributed defensively with a key steal early in the half, setting the tone for the Tritons' defensive efforts. The team effectively controlled the paint, scoring 20 points inside, which played a crucial role in establishing its lead.
As the half progressed, UC San Diego displayed efficient shooting, making 13 of 22 field goal attempts. This offensive efficiency, combined with a balanced scoring effort off the bench, helped the Tritons extend their lead. The half closed with UC San Diego leading 33–20, having capitalized on its defensive rebounds and fast breaks.
UC San Diego extended its lead early in the second half, with Dengdit contributing significantly by hitting two three-pointers and a jumper, propelling the team to a comfortable margin.
Leo Beath's defensive plays, including a block and a defensive rebound, helped maintain momentum. Mayes added to the score with a layup and successful free throws, keeping the pressure on UC Davis.
UC Davis attempted to close the gap with a series of three-pointers and fast-break scores. However, UC San Diego's defensive rebounds and consistent scoring, including contributions from Beattie and freshman
Jaden Vance, helped maintain their advantage. Vance finished with ten points.
TRITON TIDBITS
- The Tritons outrebounded the Aggies, 40-29. UC San Diego improved to 10-2 when gathering more rebounds than its opponent.
- Dengdit's four three-pointers are a new career-high.
- UC San Diego allowed a season-low 51 points Thursday – the fewest scored by a Big West opponent since UCSB scored 51 against the Tritons in the 2025 Big West semifinal game.
- Thursday was the final regular season meeting between the Tritons and Aggies as Big West foes. UC Davis will move to the Mountain West next season.
QUOTABLE
UP NEXT
UC San Diego remains at LionTree Arena to take on UC Riverside Saturday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and KSDT, with a link to live stats on UCSDTritons.com. Tickets can be purchased through
Triton Box Office.
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.
