Sun Mar 16 22:50:00 UTC 2025: ## UC San Diego Tritons Dance into NCAA Tournament for the First Time
**Henderson, NV** – In a thrilling victory over UC Irvine, the UC San Diego Tritons secured their first-ever Big West Conference Tournament Championship and clinched a coveted spot in the NCAA Tournament. The Tritons, playing in their first full year of Division I eligibility after transitioning from Division II in 2020, dominated the second half en route to a 75-61 win.
Hayden Gray led the Tritons’ offensive charge, sinking six of his seven three-point attempts and finishing with a game-high 22 points. His hot shooting, coupled with strong performances from Tyler McGhie (11 points), Nordin Kapic (10 points), and Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (14 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists), proved too much for the Anteaters. UC San Diego shot an impressive 49.1% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc.
Despite a strong first half that saw UC Irvine take a narrow lead, the Tritons seized control early in the second half. An 8-0 run pushed them ahead, and while UC Irvine fought back, crucial late three-pointers from Kapic and McGhie, followed by Gray’s driving layup, sealed the victory.
Justin Hohn paced UC Irvine (28-6) with 18 points, but the Anteaters struggled from the field, shooting just 35.1%. Their perfect 13-for-13 performance from the free-throw line wasn’t enough to overcome the Tritons’ superior shooting and late-game execution.
The Tritons (30-4) enter the NCAA Tournament riding a 15-game winning streak and boasting a regular season conference championship under their belts. Their impressive season culminates in a well-deserved trip to the “Big Dance,” marking a historic moment for the program.
First Piper 