In a stunning turn of events, the UC San Diego Tritons pulled off a 2-point upset over the UC Irvine Anteaters at the Bren Events Center, securing a 71-69 victory. This result has significant implications for both teams' seeding lines, particularly considering their NET rankings, with UC San Diego's win propelling them ahead of UC Irvine in the standings.
The Tritons' 36-29 first-half lead set the tone for the contest, but the Anteaters' 40-35 second-half advantage seemed to suggest a reversal of fortunes. However, UC San Diego's resilience ultimately paid off, as they outlasted their higher-ranked opponents by a margin of just two points. The Anteaters' NET #115 ranking was no match for the Tritons' determination, as UC San Diego's NET #131 proved to be a more formidable opponent than expected.
Hudson Mayes led the Tritons with a well-rounded performance, contributing 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. His shooting efficiency was a notable aspect, converting 8 of 16 field goal attempts and 1 of 3 three-pointers. Mayes also provided a defensive presence, registering a block in the paint.
Alex Chaikin and Tom Beattie supported Mayes in key roles. Chaikin scored 15 points, primarily from his shooting from beyond the arc, where he connected on 3 of 6 three-point attempts. Beattie added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, while shooting efficiently from the field, making 4 of 10 attempts. Their complementary play helped the Tritons secure the win.
Jurian Dixon's 22-point performance was a highlight for the Anteaters, but his shooting efficiency could have been better. He connected on just 50% of his field goal attempts, and while his four three-pointers were a significant contributor to his scoring, his 9-18 mark from the field suggests some wasted opportunities. Dixon's four assists were a positive, but ultimately, his overall line fell short of what was needed to secure a win for UC Irvine.
Kyle Evans' all-around stat line, which included 12 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, was a testament to his well-rounded game. However, his 12-point output was not sufficient to make a significant impact on the game's outcome. Evans' shooting was not an issue, as he made six of his 12 field goal attempts, but his inability to score more consistently limited his team's chances. Andre Henry's 15 points, meanwhile, were largely a result of his three three-pointers, but his overall shooting efficiency was not impressive, and his lack of rebounding and defensive presence made him a liability at times.
Bol Dengdit's performance was a notable departure from his season averages, as he saw a significant dip in scoring and rebounding efficiency, while experiencing a notable uptick in his assist total. Dengdit's 7 points and 7 rebounds were both below his average, with his field goal percentage and three-point shooting also falling short of his season marks. However, his 5 assists, a season-high by 3.2, suggest that he was able to capitalize on opportunities to create for his teammates, and his rebounding total was a welcome bonus. This dichotomy in Dengdit's game will be worth monitoring as the season progresses, as it may indicate a shift in his role or responsibilities within the UC San Diego offense.
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INCORRECTPredicted
Final
The pre-game prediction, which favored UC Irvine by 1.7 points, fell short as UC San Diego emerged victorious by 2 points. This outcome was a testament to the Tritons' ability to execute their game plan on both ends of the floor.
A closer examination of the box score reveals that UC San Diego's superior efficiency in half-court offense and defensive rebounding played a crucial role in their win. The Tritons' effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 52.5% was a significant improvement over their season average, indicating a high level of execution in the half-court set. Meanwhile, UC Irvine struggled to contain UC San Diego on the defensive glass, allowing the Tritons to grab a higher percentage of available rebounds than their season average. This allowed UC San Diego to control the pace of the game and ultimately secure the win.
The win for UC San Diego adds another Quad 2 victory to their resume, now standing at 0-1 in Quad 1 and 0-1 in Quad 2, while their NET ranking rises to #131. For UC Irvine, the loss not only drops their record to 18-10 but also extends their Quad 2 losing streak to 1-3, a concerning trend as the tournament selection committee weighs their overall strength of schedule. UC San Diego's Quad 2 win now becomes a crucial addition, potentially offsetting their Quad 1 loss and positioning them for a favorable seed in the Big West Tournament. Meanwhile, UC Irvine's Quad 2 struggles may force them into a difficult matchup in the tournament, and their NET ranking may not be enough to compensate for the Quad 2 losses. This loss for UC Irvine has effectively sealed their fate as a likely 6-seed in the Big West Tournament, while UC San Diego's win has given them a legitimate chance to claim the 3-seed.