Full Breakdown
College Basketball Roundup: UCSD and SDSU Women Secure Victories
12/8/2025, 12:13:14 PM
UC San Diego Men's Team Triumphs in Big West Opener
The UC San Diego men's basketball team commenced its defense of the Big West Conference title with an 80-74 victory against Long Beach State on Saturday night. The Tritons, now with an 8-1 record, were led by guard Aidan Burke, who achieved a career-high of 18 points. Forward Leo Beath contributed significantly with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Bol Dengdit and Alex Chaikin each added 14 and 11 points, respectively. UCSD demonstrated strong shooting, hitting 52% of their shots from the field, including 9 of 20 from three-point range.
Coach Clint Allard praised Burke's performance, stating, “Aidan is always ready to go, and we needed him at the start of this game.” The Tritons overcame an early 5-0 deficit, eventually leading by four points at halftime and extending their advantage to 66-52 with a 26-12 run in the second half. Long Beach State, now 2-8, struggled to close the gap in the final minutes.
San Diego State Women Hold Off Pacific
In women's basketball, the San Diego State Aztecs secured a narrow 70-68 victory over Pacific at Viejas Arena on Sunday. The Aztecs, now 5-3, established a 14-point lead in the first half, aided by a strong performance from Naomi Panganiban, who scored 13 points in that period. The team capitalized on their three-point shooting, making 9 of 16 attempts in the first half.
Despite a late rally from Pacific, which had the last possession with a chance to tie or win, the Aztecs' defense held firm. Coach Stacie Terry-Hutson noted, “I thought we made some strong stops at the end of that game,” highlighting the efforts of guard Nat Martinez, who effectively defended against Pacific's Daria Nestorov. The Aztecs trailed only once for a total of 10 seconds throughout the game.
University of San Diego Women Dominate Utah State
The University of San Diego women's basketball team also achieved victory, defeating Utah State 70-66. Olivia Owens led the Toreros with 25 points and nine rebounds, while freshman forward Ayla Williams contributed significantly with 14 points and 18 rebounds. USD maintained control throughout the game, showcasing a dominant rebounding performance with a 42-21 advantage.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Stacie Terry-Hutson of the Aztecs remarked on the team's physicality, stating, “Our physicality was improved today. And Martinez stood out. Hers is a solid all-around game.” Panganiban also credited her teammates for their support, saying, “My teammates did a great job of finding me.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Aidan is always ready to go, and we needed him at the start of this game,” — Clint Allard, UCSD Men's Basketball Coach
- “I thought we made some strong stops at the end of that game,” — Stacie Terry-Hutson, SDSU Women's Basketball Coach
- “My teammates did a great job of finding me.” — Naomi Panganiban, SDSU Player
This weekend's games showcased strong performances from local teams, with UC San Diego and San Diego State both securing important wins to bolster their seasons.
