by Craig on February 5, 2010
LA JOLLA–The UCSD women’s and men’s basketball teams continued doggedly on their paths last night, heading in opposite directions. The 8th ranked women’s team smoothly dispatched Cal State Dominguez Hills 83-57, running their win streak to four and their record to 18-1 (13-1 CCAA), while the men’s team (4-13, 3-11 CCAA) fell apart in the first half before rallying to make their fifth straight loss look more respectable, ultimately falling to CSUDH 68-58 at RIMAC Arena.
Charity Elliott’s women’s team is displaying a level of depth and athleticism that may be unrivaled on the West Coast in Division II. Last night, the Tritons had all 13 players get at least eight minutes of playing time, with 12 scoring. UCSD took control of the game midway through the first half with the second unit on the floor and all five starters resting.
“Our bench came in and really made a difference for us,” said Elliott of a unit that scored a season-high 42 points, “picked up where we started and kept it going. We never had any letdown, which was a big step for this team.”
Daisy Feder (pictured) came off the bench for a career-high 19 points, including four three pointers. Chelsea Carlisle, played just 23 minutes but still added 17 points and four rebounds. Annette Ilg was her typical whirling dervish of defense, fast break outlets and layups, finishing with 14 points and three steals in just 18 minutes of work.
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LA JOLLA–Spirit Night, UCSD’s annual attempt to infuse student spirit into the men’s and women’s basketball programs, brought out a combined crowd of almost 6,000 to RIMAC Arena on Saturday night. The result was one of the more inspired performances of the year for the men’s team, battling CCAA-leading Cal State San Bernadino into the final minute.
Unfortunately for the Tritons, the outcome was a familiar one. Despite a career-high 32 points from senior forward Jordan Lawley, UCSD (4-12, 3-9 CCAA) fell 76-67 to the Coyotes (13-4, 11-2) in front of 3,860 in attendance.
“A fantastic effort on our part against one of the best teams, not only in the CCAA, but in Division II basketball,” said head coach Chris Carlson after the game, “We got better tonight. We didn’t get the result we were after obviously, but the effort was there.”
Indeed, the Tritons showed more moxie in the post than they have in many games this season. Sophomore center Christian Hatch contributed a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Casey Ryan added twelve boards of his own.
The problem was on the perimeter, where CSUSB’s athleticism shined on defense. The Coyotes forced 18 turnovers, 9 of them on steals, while committing just seven turnovers of their own. The lost possessions for UCSD overshadowed a game in which the Tritons converted 19 of 20 free throws and out-rebounded the the bigger Coyotes 34-25.
Watch a postgame video interview with head coach Chris Carlson and check out a Spirit Night photo gallery after the jump: Continue Reading →
