Jordan Lawley led UCSD with a game-high 29 points (Jimmy Gekas-Sideline Studios)
LA JOLLA–Behind an inspired effort underneath from sophomore center Christian Hatch, the UCSD men’s basketball team snapped their five-game losing streak, holding off Cal State L.A. 83-77 Saturday night at RIMAC Arena. The victory capped a double-header sweep for the Tritons, as the 8th ranked women’s team earlier dispatched the Golden Eagles 75-43, extending their record to 19-1 (14-1 CCAA).
Hatch blew past his previous career high, scoring 23 points with 11 rebounds. Jordan Lawley added 29 and four Tritons scored in double figures in what head coach Chris Carlson called one of his team’s sharpest offensive efforts of the season.
“We played with great effort and energy early on and it really set the tone,” said Carlson.
UCSD (5-13, 4-11) led from start to finish, with Hatch scoring six early points down low as UCSD jumped ahead 14-4. The Tritons led by 11 at the half and extended to an 18-point advantage early in the second half. Cal State L.A. (12-9, 8-8) rallied behind Chris Fields’ 22 points, closing to within four late, but Lawley hit key free throws down the stretch to secure the Tritons victory.
Tyler Acevedo emerged from a long-range shooting slump to score 13 points (3-6 3-pointers) and Casey Ryan added a physical double-double, with 12 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
But it was Hatch, who has struggled all season to find consistency in the post, who made the biggest plays all game, muscling his way for 8 offensive rebounds. Hatch spoke after the game about his career night:
The Tritons’ efficiency on offense included 19 assists on 28 baskets, with only 13 turnovers. Head coach Chris Carlson was relieved to see a five-game losing streak go by the boards:
Earlier in the evening, the 8th ranked UCSD women’s team (19-1, 14-1 CCAA) took their time before dispatching the Golden Eagles 75-43. Coming out ice-cold from long range, the Tritons saw themselves tied with Cal State L.A. (4-17, 2-13) 19-19 with about four minutes to play. Then, UCSD scored the final ten points of the first half, and the first 18 points of the second half.
The 28-0 run eventually extended out to 41-5 midway through the second half, by which point head coach Charity Elliott was able to empty her deep and talented bench. Twelve players saw at least ten minutes of action for UCSD, with 11 players scoring.
Watch Charity Elliott’s postgame comments:
Chelsea Carlisle couldn’t find her range until halftime, then came alive to score a game-high 19 points. The sophomore point guard talked about UCSD’s 5th straight win:
The Tritons’ women work pink uniforms on Saturday night as part of “Think Pink” night, an effort to raise breast cancer awareness through the WBCA Pink Zone and the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. UCSD’s basketball teams head out on the road now for games at Cal State Stanislaus and Chico State this weekend on Friday and Saturday.
