ROHNERT PARK, Calif-  J.T. Tipton smashed his career-high with 38 points in a 75-70 Sonoma State win over UC San Diego on Saturday evening in Rohnert Park.  The total was the fourth-highest in school history and the most by a Sonoma State player since 1990.  The win gives SSU their first win streak of the year as they improve to 3-7, 2-4 CCAA.  The Tritons drop to 3-7, 1-4 CCAA.

Tipton finished the game with 38 points on 9-of-14 shooting.  He also set the school record with 18 free throws in 20 attempts in addition to grabbing 13 rebounds and dishing out three assists. 

Sonoma State led from wire to wire on Saturday night, but they were unable to shake a feisty Triton squad.  SSU's lead was as big as seven in the first half and went as high as 13 in the second, but UCSD kept it close with some solid outside shooting down the stretch.

Clint Allard led the Tritons with 20 points and five rebounds.  He also had four assists and three steals. 

While Tipton had more than half of SSU's points on the night, the Seawolves also got strong performances out of Ben Washington (eight points) and Keith Garner, who finished with eight points and five rebounds.

SSU shot a season-high 55% from the field in the game.  As a team, 26 of SSU's points came from the free throw line as three of UCSD's players (Darryl Lawlor, Henry Patterson, Shane Poppen) fouled out.

Tipton's previous career-high of 28 points was set in last year's NCAA Regional game against Cal State Bakersfield.  The school record of 45 points was set by Todd Blakely in 1990.

Sonoma State hosts Cal State Monterey Bay next Thursday in Rohnert Park.

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