LA JOLLA, Calif. - After leading by as many as 15 points in the second half, the UC San Diego women's basketball team held off Humboldt State on the way to 69-66 victory in its CCAA Conference opener Friday night at RIMAC Arena. Michelle Osier tallied her second consecutive double-double, finishing with 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Tritons to their fifth straight win.
With the victory, UCSD improves to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while Humboldt State falls to 5-3, 1-1 CCAA.
Osier reached the 20-point mark for the fourth time this season, finishing 10-of-15 from the field to lead all scorers. The senior forward also recorded four steals and two blocks.
Junior transfer Leilani Martin finished with 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists in her CCAA debut, while Alexis Gaskin and Erin Noonan each put in 10 for the Tritons.
After Osier gave UCSD a 56-41 lead with 9:14 remaining, the Lumberjacks used an 18-8 run over the next seven minutes to cut the deficit to just five, 64-59, with under three minutes to play. Paige Peterson then converted a three-point play with 2:26 left to bring the visitors to within two, 64-62, but that they would get no closer than that.
Annette Ilg answered with a bucket in the paint and Martin hit two free-throws following a layup by Peterson to keep the Lumberjacks at bay.
After Noonan hit one of two at the line to give UCSD a 69-66 lead with 18 seconds remaining, Taylor Kilgore's three fell short and Ilg grabbed the rebound as time expired to secure the victory for the Tritons.
UCSD shot 49% (29-59) for the game, while Humboldt State finished at a 37% clip (27-74).
“We were fortunate to come out on top against a great Humboldt team tonight,” head coach Charity Elliott said. “I'm really proud of our team for staying tough and hitting some free-throws down the stretch. Osier was amazing once again... she just finds a way to get it done.”
Peterson scored 15 points and dished out four assists to lead the Lumberjacks, while Katie Franci finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
The Tritons scored 13 unanswered points in the first half to take a 22-12 lead with 8:51 remaining until intermission. Humboldt State closed to within five at 28-23, but Lauren Freidenberg scored on a full court pass from Martin and Jenelle Conklin hit a baseline jumper to put UCSD back in front by nine. The Tritons led by the same margin, 37-28 at the break.
The Tritons will look to keep rolling Saturday against Sonoma State. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
