Toros Women Come Close at UCSD, But Lose to Tritons, 75-72
February 27, 2004

Courtesy UC San Diego Sports Information Office

Complete Box Score

UC San Diego rode a 54 to 32 rebounding advantage to a narrow 75-72 victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills in California Collegiate Athletic Association women's basketball action at UCSD's RIMAC Arena on Friday. T

UCSD's fifth straight victory over the Toros gives it a sweep of the two-game season series for the second year in a row. The Tritons improve to 13-11 overall, 9-10 in the CCAA. CSUDH falls to 11-13 overall, 7-12 in league play.

The first half on Friday night was a back-and-forth affair that featured nine ties and five lead changes, the largest lead being five by UC San Diego on three occasions. A three-pointer by sophomore Andrea Herold with 22 seconds left gave the Tritons a 36-33 advantage at the break.

UCSD went on an 11-0 run early in the second half to suddenly make it a 54-39 game with 13:24 showing on the clock. Though the visiting Toros eventually closed back to within one at 65-64 at the 5:06 mark, they were unable to pull even, as the Tritons led the entire period and held on for the critical victory.

Senior Ali Ginn fell one assist shy of her first collegiate triple-double, finishing with 14 points, a career-high 12 rebounds and a game-high nine assists, with four of those assists coming in the first 5:41 of the contest. It was her fifth double-double. Junior Margaret Johnson also posted a double-double, the 13th of her career, as she poured in a team-high 20 points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds. The CCAA's number-two free throw shooter, she made six of eight from the stripe and also had four assists. Herold and freshman Leora Juster contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively.

UCSD was out-shot, 46 percent to 36 percent, but was helped immensely by its rebounding edge. The Tritons also made 23 free throws to just 11 by the visitors.

Junior Octavia Askew scored a game-high 21 points for Cal State Dominguez Hills on seven-of-nine shooting from the field. Freshman Zipporah Chase produced her 12th double-double, the second-most in the conference, with 16 points and 13 rebounds. She also blocked a game-high three shots. Sophomore Tameka Blue collected 13 points and seven assists.