LA JOLLA, Calif. - The Cal State San Marcos men's basketball team upset the 18th-ranked team in the nation and crosstown rival UC San Diego by a final score of 72-67 in a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matchup, Thursday night at RIMAC Arena.
 
CSUSM wins its sixth straight and improves to 13-5 overall and 8-3 in conference play. UCSD falls to 14-4 overall and 9-2 in the CCAA.

The Cougars shot 40.4 percent (19-47) from the floor, including 70 percent (7-10) from behind the arc, and 84.4 percent (27-32) from the charity stripe. The Tritons went 45 percent (27-60) from the field, 37.5 percent (9-24) from three-point range and 50 percent (4-8) on free throws. UCSD won the rebound battle 35-30, while CSUSM won the turnover battle 16-11.
 
Junior guard Tyson Kygar led the Cougars with 19 points, going 4-of-5 from behind the arc. Junior guard Brian Wright pitched in 16 points and five steals. Junior forward Joe Boyd grabbed his ninth double-double of the season with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Scott Everman led UCSD with 16 points. Adam Klie had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Tritons.

"It was a grinder," said interim head coach B.J. Foster. "If you're not ready to grind, you're not going to win. The guys just played with a really tough effort."
 
The Cougars stumbled out of the gates and trailed by 11 points, 20-9. CSUSM responded with a 25-8 run to close the half to take a six-point advantage at halftime, 34-28. The Cougars took the lead, 28-26, on a Spiers 3-pointer with 2:45 left in the first half and never looked back.
 
The Cougars extended their lead to 10 points in the second half, 38-28, on a layup from Wright. UCSD closed the gap to one points on two separate occasions, but CSUSM answered back and grabbed a 61-53 advantage after an Ethan Alvano layup. The Cougars were able to make their necessary free throws down the stretch to prevail by five.
 
CSUSM will travel to Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday, Jan. 21. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.