San Diego defeats UC San Diego 80-82

Thrilling Upset: San Diego Edges UC San Diego 82-80

In a back-and-forth battle at the LionTree Arena, visiting team San Diego emerged victorious with an 82-80 win over host UC San Diego in a thrilling non-conference matchup.

The game was a true thriller, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to pull away. The away team led 31-40 at halftime, but the home team fought back, cutting the deficit to just two points heading into the second half.

UC San Diego's Bol Dengdit led the charge in the second half, scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the visitors. San Diego's Ty-Laur Johnson was nearly unstoppable from beyond the arc, connecting on three of six shots for 23 points.

The difference between the teams came down to one thing: shooting percentages. UC San Diego made just 31% of its shots, while San Diego shot a respectable 45%. The visitors' ability to stretch the defense and knock down open threes was the key to their success.

San Diego's Alejandro Aviles was all over the court on the defensive end, grabbing eight rebounds and holding his own against UC San Diego's big men. His four assists added to the visitors' scoring punch.

The game was marked by several key plays, including a crucial stretch in the second half where both teams traded baskets and neither could gain an advantage. However, it was Johnson who ultimately proved to be the difference-maker, hitting one clutch shot after another to keep his team ahead.

In the end, San Diego's 2-point lead at the buzzer proved decisive, giving them a thrilling upset victory over their local rivals. The win marks a significant turn for the visitors, who will look to build on this momentum as they head into conference play.