After eight days without a game for Finals Week, the rust showed as David Patrick’s Sacramento State fell at home to UC San Diego, 83-52, at the Nest.
Sacramento State scored on the game's first possession, but UC San Diego responded with a 3-pointer at the 19:09 mark and never trailed again. Three-pointers were a common theme as UC San Diego buried 15-of-36 (42%) from distance while Sacramento State, the nation's 20th best 3-point shooting team, went just 4-for-19.
UC San Diego used a 20-4 run to take a 26-9 lead at the 10-minute mark of the first half and cruised the rest of the way. UC San Diego, forced Sacramento State into 21 turnovers while committing just five of their own, and outscored Sacramento State, 22-0, in points off miscues.
Sacramento State will conclude its season-long three-game homestand on Thursday against Bethesda at 2 p.m. That will mark Sacramento State’s final tune-up before Big Sky Conference play begins on Dec. 28 at Idaho.
UC San Diego, which lost to San Diego State by one point earlier this month, improved to 6-5 with the victory. The two teams have played just four times in the all-time series with each team winning twice. Sacramento State won on the road at UC San Diego last season.
Sacramento State, who were held to a season-low 52 points, finished the game 39% (18-46) from the field, 21% (4-19) from distance, and 80% (12-15) from the free throw line. Both teams had 35 rebounds.
Sacramento State was led by Duncan Powell's team highs in points (10) and rebounds (7). Three of his seven rebounds came on the offensive glass. Alex Kovatchev had seven points and six rebounds, Jacob Holt had nine points and four rebounds, and Austin Patterson had eight points and five boards. Emil Skytta led Sacramento State with four assists.
Nine different Sacramento State players cracked the scoring column with each of those players scoring between two and 10 points. Sacramento State finished with eight blocks, including two apiece from Powell, Zee Hamoda, and Bowyn Beatty.
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