BOX SCORE LA JOLLA, Calif. -- Reminiscent of Sonoma State's thrilling comeback victory over Cal State L.A. two weeks ago, the Seawolves overcame a 12-point deficit with 3:48 left in the game to pull within one point at 60-59 with 24 seconds left, but host UC San Diego was able to hold on for a crazy 63-62 win over the Seawolves on Friday night at RIMAC Arena in La Jolla. SSU drops to 7-8 overall and 5-6 in the CCAA while UCSD improves to 7-9 (3-8 CCAA).
Steven Pratt scored a game-high 18 points and had team-highs of seven rebounds and six assists while
Patrick Scott added 10 points in the loss.
Sonoma State would get off to a fast start, taking the early 7-2 lead just over a minute into the game. However, UC San Diego went on a 13-0 run to jump ahead 15-7 at the 11:51 mark. The Triton lead would eventually stretch to 12 points on a pair of occasions, including a 27-15 lead with 5:36 remaining in the half. Just as UCSD did earlier, SSU would answer with a big run, outscoring the hosts 11-2 the rest of the way to trail by just three at 29-26 at halftime.
The second half would prove to be a closely contested ballgame, but UCSD would remain in the lead, albeit not more than six points. With 5:49 left in the game,
Brian Crow would help the Seawolves get to within three points again at 46-43, but the Tritons would answer with a 9-0 run to extend their lead again to 12 points (55-43) with 4:06 left in regulation. Both teams would trade a free throw over the next 18 seconds and UCSD led 56-44 with 3:48 on the clock. That's when the comeback kids from Sonoma made their move, closing the gap to just one point at 60-59 with 24 seconds left, the result of a 15-4 SSU run.
On the ensuing inbounds pass, Scott fouled UCSD's Justin Brue and Brue proceeded to hit both free throws to make it a three-point game at 62-59 with just 20 ticks left. On Sonoma State's next possession,
Will Olsem attempted a three-pointer from the corner, but it sailed long and the Tritons' James McCann got the rebound and was immediately fouled. McCann then missed his first free throw attempt, but swished the second and it became a two possession game with only 10 seconds remaining.
The Seawolves would sprint down the court and Pratt threw up a three-ball, but it rimmed off and Scott was able to corral the offensive board. Scott would then heave a three-pointer from the corner, but as the ball rattled around the cylinder before falling through, time expired and UC San Diego would escape with the narrow 63-62 win.
For the game, Sonoma State went 23 of 58 from the hardwood (39.7 percent), including just 6 of 24 from beyond the three-point arc. UC San Diego, meanwhile, hit 24 of its 58 shots (41.4 percent) while outrebounding the Seawolves, 43-32. McCann matched Pratt's scoring total with 18 points and Brue dropped in 13 and grabbed seven boards for the Tritons.
Sonoma State, which saw its three-game win streak snapped on Friday, will look to rebound against the CCAA's top team in Cal State San Bernardino (9-5, 8-3 CCAA). The Coyotes, though, fell at home to Humboldt State on Friday, 65-61. Tipoff between the Seawolves and Coyotes from Coussoulis Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
