LA JOLLA, Calif. – Two of the three PacWest men’s basketball teams playing in the NCAA West Regional first round Friday advanced to the semifinals. Hawai’i Pacific and California Baptist used strong second halves for victories, and Dixie State fell to top-seed and host UC San Diego.
In the semifinals on Saturday, No. 2 Hawai’i Pacific faces No. 6 Chico State at 5 p.m., and No. 4 CBU meets No. 1 UCSD at 7:30 p.m.
Hawai’i Pacific 73 – Sonoma State 61
In its first tournament appearance since 1999, Hawai’i Pacific beat No. 7 Sonoma State, 73-61.
Jordan Martin led five Sharks in double-figures with 15 points and
Colfaz Nordquist added 13. Tied at 30 at the half, HPU came alive in the second, outscoring the Seawolves 43-31. The Sharks made 11-of-19 field goals, including six three-pointers, after intermission.
California Baptist 71 – San Francisco State 50
California Baptist won its first round game for the third-consecutive season, beating No. 5 San Francisco State, 71-50.
Michael Smith scored a game-high 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
Jason Todd grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds and had two steals. CBU outscored San Francisco State 42-25 in the second half, with a three-pointer from
Bul Kuol capping a 28-12 run midway through the period that gave the Lancers a 20-point lead.
UC San Diego 94 – Dixie State 68
No. 8 Dixie State fell to No. 1 UC San Diego, 94-68, in the nightcap.
Trevor Hill led Dixie State with 16 points and three assists.
Marcus Bradley and
Kyler Nielson scored 12 apiece. Back-to-back three-pointers put the Tritons up 23-11 midway through the first half and they led 44-30 at the break. UCSD maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half and closed the game on an 18-8 run.