Box Score SAN DIEGO, Calif. – In its second game of the UC San Diego Thanksgiving Classic, Azusa Pacific could not overcome a slow start and a frustrating shooting effort.
The host Tritons handed Azusa Pacific its third straight loss by claiming a 62-49 victory.
The Cougars were hurt by a rough shooting night as they connected on just 33.3 percent (18-for-54) of their field goal attempts. From long range they didn't connect on any of their 11 attempts.
"We learned a valuable lesson tonight," said head coach T.J. Hardeman. "We have to play two complete halves in which we have good effort and provide great energy throughout."
In the opening half the Cougars turned the ball over 17 times and didn't record an assist. During that initial frame, UC San Diego turned an 11-10 early lead into a 21-11 edge just before the half's midway point. Field goals by Lisha Elsenbach and Miriam Zabinsky cut that deficit down to 21-15. However, the Tritons finished the stanza on a 17-4 run as they took a 38-19 lead into the locker room.
UC San Diego continued to hold a double-digit lead throughout the second half. Azusa Pacific turned the ball over just four times in the second half and handed out six assists. The Cougars also forced the Tritons into 10 turnovers but it wasn't enough.
"We were reacting and not anticipating. In the second half we were able to make adjustments and change that but it was too late to make a difference in the outcome of the game," Hardeman said. "You never want to learn the lesson we did tonight but better to do it early in the year before conference play starts. I have no doubt we will continue to get better."
Azusa Pacific's offense was paced by Maggie Dumphy and Miriam Zabinsky. Each player went 6-for-12 from the field en route to 12 points evenings. Dumphy grabbed a Cougar best eight rebounds.
For her efforts over the two-day, four-team event Kelly Hardeman was named to the all-tournament team after scoring 35 points and recording 17 rebounds. The junior was also named to the west region crossover classic all-tournament team last weekend in games against Seattle Pacific and Western Washington.
Miranda Seto had a UC San Diego best 23 points in 36 minutes.
