LA JOLLA, Calif.—UC San Diego women's basketball narrowly fell to UC Irvine, 70-68, on Saturday afternoon in LionTree Arena. The Tritons (18-8, 13-3 Big West) led by as many as 13 and had the advantage for 27:12 minutes, compared to 10:15 for the Anteaters (23-4, 14-2 Big West). UC San Diego outshot UCI, 41 percent to 37 percent, but the Anteaters were awarded 35 free throws, compared to just 14 for the Tritons.
 
Makayla Rose scored 16 points and recorded five rebounds, while Erin Condron contributed 14 points while collecting 11 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. Dymonique Maxie added seven assists and Sabrina Ma finished with nine points, connecting on three 3-pointers. Rosa Smith led the team with three steals.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
UC San Diego started the game with effective scoring in the paint, highlighted by Rose's jumper assisted by Ma at 9:23. They maintained pressure on the Anteaters with a strong inside presence, scoring 14 points in the paint. Smith's three-pointer at 1:11 put the Tritons in the lead, 18-17 and a late surge, including a fast-break layup by Damilola Sule at 0:05, capped a nine-point run to end the period. The Tritons concluded the first quarter ahead, 24-17.
 
The Tritons maintained control in the second quarter, capitalizing on fast-break opportunities and efficient shooting. Condron's defensive efforts, including a block and rebound at 8:17, were pivotal, followed shortly by her two successful free throws to extend the lead, 28-21. Ma contributed significantly with a three-pointer at 5:16, assisted by Condron, reinforcing the Tritons' advantage, 31-23. Despite UCI's attempts to close the gap, UC San Diego ended the first half ahead, 40-34.
 
UC San Diego maintained its edge in the third quarter with a crucial sequence midway through the period. Condron's layup off a Rose assist at 9:48 set the tone early. Ma then added a three-pointer at 7:35, assisted by Condron, to solidify the lead, 47-40. The Tritons put together a six-point swing behind four points from Rose to build a 10-point advantage, 55-45 midway through the period. UCI closed out the quarter with nine consecutive points to cut the lead to one, 55-54.
 
UC San Diego started the fourth quarter with a quick turnover and steal by Ma, but an early foul allowed the Anteaters to take a brief lead. Rose responded with a jumper to regain the advantage at 8:53. A layup by Lev Feiman at 7:15 further extended the Tritons' control, but UCI countered with a 6-0 run to build its lead, 63-59, midway through the period.
 
UC San Diego fought to stay close, with Condron scoring back-to-back layups to tie the score, 63-63. However, UCI capitalized on free throws and a layup in the final minute to jump back in front, 66-63. Smith's free throws brought the score within one at 66-65 with 37 seconds left. In a tense closing, Feiman hit a three-pointer with seven seconds remaining, but the Anteaters secured the win, ending the game at 70-68.
 
TRITON TIDBITS

• Both contests against UC Irvine have ended in a two-point margin this season.
• UC San Diego had the advantage in points in the paint (38-24), fast break points (22-6), bench points (18-11), second chance points (8-4), assists (17-6), blocks (3-1), made threes (6-3) and field goal percentage.
  • Rebounds (34-34) and turnovers forced were even (15-15).
  • UC Irvine had the edge in points off turnovers (19-12) and free throws made (29-12).
• The Tritons are now 3-15 in the all-time series, 3-9 in Division I and 1-1 this season against UC Irvine.
• UC San Diego starters were Erin Condron, Sabrina Ma, Dymonique Maxie, Makayla Rose and Rosa Smith.

 
UP NEXT
The Tritons will conclude their road schedule, traveling to face Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. and stay on the road to face Cal Poly on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and live statistics will be available via UCSDTritons.com.
 
Article partially generated by Fan Word.
 
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 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 84 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.