CHICO, Calif. ? The 21st-ranked UC San Diego women's basketball team suffered its first two-game losing streak of the season, falling to No. 17 Chico State by a 90-68 score on Friday night in Acker Gymnasium on the Chico State campus. UCSD dropped an 80-72 decision to No. 13 Cal State Bakersfield last Saturday evening to begin the 2-game skid.
With the loss the Tritons fall to 15-4 overall and 10-3 in CCAA play while the Wildcats improve to 17-3 overall and 11-2 in league play. The win for Chico State avenges a 79-77 loss to UCSD in RIMAC Arena in La Jolla on January 7.
The Tritons fell behind early as Chico State led by scores of 13-2 and 31-17 before the midway point of the first stanza. The Wildcats held a 47-27 lead at intermission as the Tritons made only 11-of-38 shots from the floor.
UCSD played better in the second half, but the deficit was too much to overcome as CSUC ended the game with the 22-point margin of victory. The Wildcats made 47.8% of their shots from the floor, including 11-of-26 from the 3-point line. UCSD shot only 37.9% from the floor and committed 22 turnovers in the loss.
Chico State had six players score in double digits, led by Amber Simmons' 18 points. She also pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds while Amy Van Hollebeke added 15 points and nine assists.
Freshman Michelle Osier led UCSD on the night with 18 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the floor. Leora Juster was limited to only 15 points on 3-for-16 shooting from the floor. She did make all eight charity shots but commited eight turnovers in the loss.
UCSD will try to snap its losing streak on the road tomorrow evening, playing at Cal State Stanislaus. Game time is slated for 5:30 p.m. in Warrior Gym.
