Box Score
LOS ANGELES – Cal State L.A.'s women's basketball team threw a second-half scare into the undefeated California Collegiate Athletic Association leaders, but UC San Diego weathered the storm.
The Golden Eagles sliced a 25-point halftime deficit down to 10 points with more than four minutes left, but UC San Diego regrouped and pulled away for a 84-66 victory Saturday night in the Eagles Nest. Cal State L.A. (3-18, 2-12 CCAA) lost its second straight game, while the Tritons (21-2, 14-0 CCAA) remained unbeaten in conference play,
Cal State L.A. shot 55.6 percent in the second half and outscored the Tritons, 40-33, in the second period. The Golden Eagles, though, were unable to overcome the first-half dominance of the Tritons, who led by as many as 27 points before halftime.
UC San Diego's Michelle Osier had a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds to lead the Tritons. Leilani Martin had 17 points and Chelsea Carlisle had 15 points.
Cal State L.A. was unable to overcome 29 turnovers, 20 of which came in the first period.
The Golden Eagles held an early lead, 9-8, after a basket by Whittington, but UC San Diego took control of the game with a 27-3 run that gave the Tritons a 35-12 advantage. UC San Diego scored 10 straight points to start the run and never looked back.
A layup by Carlisle gave the Tritons their biggest lead of the first half, 51-24, before a pair of free throws by
Shatori Dearman made it 51-26 at halftime.
The Golden Eagles played much better in the second half. Their best stretch was a 9-0 run that trimmed a 72-53 lead down to 72-62 with 4:27 to go. A pair of free throws by
Jameiz Terrell, two free throws by Dearman, a 3-pointer by Walter and a pair of free throws by
Sequoia Crandell accounted for the spurt.
UC San Diego, though, responded by scoring the next 12 points to take an 84-62 advantage and put the game out of reach.
Cal State L.A. will play its next two games on the road, beginning with a game next Friday at San Francisco State.
