Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones’ 25 points helped UCSD defeat UCSB 77-63 on Thursday.
Tait-Jones shot 9 for 12 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line for the Tritons (16-4, 6-2 Big West Conference). Hayden Gray scored 15 points while shooting 5 for 12, including 3 for 5 from beyond the arc. Nordin Kapic shot 4 of 11 from the field, including 1 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 4 from the line to finish with 12 points.
Deuce Turner led the way for the Gauchos (12-7, 4-4) with 16 points. Stephan Swenson added 10 points, six rebounds and two steals for UCSB. Kenny Pohto had nine points and eight rebounds.
These two teams both play Saturday. UCSD hosts Cal State Northridge and UCSB visits Cal State Fullerton.
USD falls in Portland
Portland, Ore. — Max Mackinnon scored 43 to tie a school record for points in a single game and Portland beat San Diego 92-82 on Thursday night.
Mackinnon became the fifth West Coast Conference player to score 43-plus in a game in the last 10 seasons — and first since 2022.
Mackinnon went 7 of 9 from 3-point range and 18 of 22 at the free-throw line for the Pilots (7-14, 2-6). Chris Austin scored 20 points. Austin Rapp shot 6 for 17, including 3 for 11 from beyond the arc to finish with 17 points, while adding eight rebounds.
Kody Clouet finished with 19 points for the Toreros (4-17, 1-7). Tony Duckett added 14 points and Deven Dahlke finished with 10 points. The loss is the seventh straight for the Toreros.
Mackinnon led Portland with 23 points in the first half to help put them ahead 42-37 at the break.
Both teams play Saturday. Portland hosts Gonzaga and San Diego plays San Francisco on the road.
