In its first-ever NCAA March Madness tournament appearance, the Tritons fought hard to come back in the second half, but a final shot to tie in the waning seconds fell short, and so did the Tritons’ season in a 68-65 first round loss to Michigan.
The Wolverines came out on fire early, as they scored the first 10 points of the game. Michigan’s size, two seven-footers, proved to be a problem early for the Tritons who had trouble matching the height inside.
Nine first-half turnovers from the Wolverines kept the Tritons within striking distance. Although the Tritons would fight to bring it within single-digits at one point in the first half, Michigan still ran to a 14-point lead at the break.
The second half is where the Tritons really turned it up a notch. A 12-0 run in the early minutes of the second half brought the Tritons within three, thanks to transition layups, free throws and good three-point shooting.
x.com/MarchMadnessMBB/status/1902926979814297668From there, it was a back-and-forth affair, with Michigan holding a lead until Tyler McGhie hit a jump shot to give the Tritons its first lead of the game, 65-63 with just over two minutes remaining.
UC SAN DIEGO TAKES THE LEAD ?#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/a9zqnWipjy
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2025UC San Diego would not score from then on, as a three and clutch free-throw shooting from the Wolverines would close the game out. McGhie had a chance to tie it in the final seconds, but a contested double-clutch three pointer did not fall.
Foul trouble was also a key issue for the Tritons, especially in the second half. UC San Diego’s leading scorer, and Big West Player of the Year, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones picked up fouls three and four within the first minute of the second half.
Tait-Jones would foul out of the game with just under seven minutes to go and only finished with seven points. Justin Rochelin also fouled out in the final minute.
UC San Diego’s first-ever March Madness appearance falls short in the first round, as the Tritons’ season ends with a 30-5 record.
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